Quasi Adoption Concept: Aging Out Orphans, Get A Lifeline From Multi-National Corporations

Hello All,

Here in the States we're in full swing for the Holiday Season, besides the full shoppers frenzy of Black Friday and Cyber Monday having just occurred. Since America has been repurposed mostly to have its economy based on consumption of goods and services. Many a retailer gets up to 20% of their business during this time of the year.

My concept this month of November isn't so dissimilar where wards of a State meaning orphans. Get a lifeline of a vocational or a university education by being partially adopted by a Multi-National Corporation, if not a giant U.S. based corporation as well. Many U.S. States have orphans in their family services agencies where these wards Age Out of the adoptive process starting at the age of 18. Here in my State of Florida its no different where the social fabric of a support system is fragile at best. Many of these ex-wards can easily become homeless, if not worse enter the penal justice system as criminal offenders. Only a minority some how beat the odds to lead productive lives in our society at large.

My solution is to even those odds where instead of losing these young adults to a life of hopelessness. The U.S. States partner with multi-national corporations to develop a very skilled workforce for themselves using a system of Apprenticeships. It's already happening to a degree from the German manufacturers developing apprenticeship programs. Starting with high school students if not older adults in their American based auto manufacturing plants from German auto makers of Volkswagen and BMW. 

Germany's New Export: Job Training
(From the "Wall Street Journal" dated June 14th 2012)

"In Germany, nearly two-thirds of the country's workers are trained through partnerships among companies, technical schools and trade guilds. Last year, German companies took on and trained nearly 600,000 paid apprentices. The schools provide theoretical lessons on the side, while trade unions help ensure training is standardized. ---Vanessa Fuhrmans. WSJ.com"

My concept is to extend this vocational training if not higher education training to all Aging Out Orphans of any American State. Where wards of any particular U.S. State starting at age 15 thru 21 become quasi adopted by a U.S. or Multi-National based Corporation. The ward is matched in a general sense of where their raw talents lay, coupled to any interests overall. Receiving an Apprenticeship styled vocational training with built in safe guards for the teenager to the young adult. 

Such as assuming the cost of education and/or vocational needs of the ward by the corporation. The ward can stay in the apprenticeship program after aging out at age 18. Still being a limited ward of the corporation, but no longer of the State government. Until age 21 the ward can decide to take the secured job offer from the corporation that adopted him or her. So such a job role will not be down sized for a period of 10 years time. You heard me, job security for at least a decades time for the former ward of the State and Corporation. 

The ward will receive a slightly higher base wage pay above that of minimum wage at the onset of the apprenticeship program. Tied to how well overall the teenager maintains a scholastic grade point average in a public school whilst in attendance. The grade point average will be determined by a partnership with the State and the Corporation. Additional protections where the Corporation assumes the cost of Health care including Dental for the ward during the Apprenticeship program. A Corporate Mentor and a State counselor will be matched to the child in order to track the overall adherence and progress of the ward within the program. 

Additional fringe benefits may be developed as the case of a "Apprentice Exchange Program". Similar to a University student exchange program where a pupil travels abroad for a semester or two. To have a positive influence of cultural exchanges, including other added social and technical benefits. So if its a German multi-national corporation that adopts an American orphan via an Apprenticeship program. The ward can travel to Germany for a quarter of the year to see what its like at the company's head quarters that has partially adopted him.

When the ward reaches age 18 when they age out of the State government custody. The apprenticeship program can afford the ward a yearly 2 week paid vacation starting at age 18. As long as the ward stays in compliance with their apprenticeship duties and learning. Housing and transportation will also be covered by the corporation, be it in dormitory styled housing like at a University campus. That is after the ward of the State ages out at age 18 and enters housing and transportation benefits provided by the corporation from ages 18 thru 21. 

The State and the Corporation will both ensure a robust education for the ward. Including Financial Literacy and a Civics Education. The corporation can teach the financial literacy curriculum and the State can teach the Civics line-up of course work. The ward will also need to volunteer at any non-profit organization a minimum of 5 hours a week or 20 hours a month. Which can satisfy in part the civics course work, which the ward can volunteer at the corporation's supported charities or non-profit foundation. During the financial literacy regime provided by the corporation for the ward. The corporation will also assist the ward whilst in the apprenticeship program with setting up and maintaining a 401K Retirement Fund or a IRA Roth account. 

For the part of the U.S. State at the State or the Federal government level the variety of industries partnered with in said corporations. Will only positively impact the orphans and the local and regional economies throughout the tenure of such a apprenticeship program. A skilled labor workforce with 21st century technical skills is assured, where otherwise a majority of such a talent pool was under utilized. Of course to be fully humane from the ideals of the State and the Corporation to promote a lifeline to rescue these young adults. In order to facilitate a role model experience provided by the corporation creating productive societal citizens and families. In equal measure any wards of the State that have physical, developmental, or mental disabilities should be included in such a limited version of an apprenticeship program as well. 

We owe this much to the orphaned children of tomorrow to have a near equal footing with those that are privileged overall in our society.