In Episode 74, host Houston Blackwood talks with Meredith Smith, Director of the Alabama Office of Apprenticeships, about the impact of apprenticeship programs across the state.Meredith shares her journey from the classroom to workforce leadership and highlights the growth of groundbreaking apprenticeship programs. With a 90% retention rate, these programs show how employer investment and mentorship create lasting success.With partnerships among colleges, universities, and employers building career pathways and efforts underway to connect high school students to opportunities, Alabama is reducing the number of disconnected youth and strengthening its workforce for the future.