Article written by Sydney Tryon, Project Leader, Institute for American Apprenticeships (IAA)
Denton, MD
Caroline County—Denton’s Craft Bakery & Cafe (Craft) is developing the local workforce by offering paid, hands-on experience to high school juniors and seniors through the Apprenticeship Maryland Program (AMP). Craft’s second year of AMP implementation is supported by the Maryland Works Grant in partnership with the Maryland Department of Education and the Institute for American Apprenticeships. Craft is a prime example of how youth apprenticeships benefit small businesses, foster community, unlock local talent, and provide paid work opportunities for students.
Since bringing on one apprentice in 2023 and two more in 2024, Craft owners Bri Farrell-Rutkowski and John Rutkowski have increased the bakery’s output and extended its operating hours. “We couldn’t open six days a week until the apprentices came on board,” said Farrell-Rutkowski, noting that having extra help also freed up time for family life. Initially inexperienced, the apprentices have become integral to the team, handling tasks like prepping ingredients, making dough, packaging, and cleaning. As they master the basics, they take on more responsibilities, allowing other staff to focus on additional duties. “It’s been a game-changer,” Farrell-Rutkowski added.
Mentorship is central to Craft’s apprenticeship. Farrell-Rutkowski, a pastry chef with 15 years of experience, is committed to giving young women a more positive entry into the industry than she had. In their apprentice training approach, Rutkowski emphasizes patience, “Be patient with them because they are kids. Skills can be taught, so give them what you can, and understand that you are not working at your pace but at their pace. If you’re sprinting and they’re walking, you’ll lose them.”
The two current apprentices, Keara Smith and Madison Braband, both juniors, praise the program. Smith said, “It’s not a normal job. Here, you can actually learn what you want to pursue when you’re older. I enjoy this, and it doesn’t feel like work. It feels like going to something you want to do.” Braband highlighted the apprenticeship’s real-world experience, saying, “Apprenticeship lets you get real-world experience because it is hands-on and in public. It shows you what life will be like in the real world after high school.” Braband also pointed out the program’s value in a small town, noting, “Apprenticeships are a very good opportunity for students, especially in a small town since there aren’t a lot of opportunities here.”
Craft’s first apprentice, Emma Robinson, ran the bakery alone when the owners faced a family emergency. Robinson said, “It gave me the confidence to take charge and the skills I need to pursue my dream of owning my own bakery.” Since her apprenticeship, she graduated high school and still works at Craft while preparing to attend college and study culinary arts. Robinson’s success reflects her performance as an apprentice and the high quality of the program led by Craft and Eric Cook, the Coordinator of Career Readiness at Caroline County Public Schools.
For Cook, this program is just the beginning of what youth apprenticeships can offer Caroline County. “There’s so much untapped talent here,” he explained. “This program is about keeping talent and businesses local and helping them grow here instead of losing our best talent to other areas. Every local high school student apprenticeship could add thousands of dollars to our economy.”
Cook continues that many students in the county are interested in youth apprenticeships, but there are not enough approved business partners and opportunities. Despite this challenge, Craft’s program