Nanz Aalund, an award winning jeweler and educator and the architect of the nationally recognized MJSA Mentorship and Apprenticeship Program (MAP), will share practical guidance for selecting apprentice candidates and training them effectively within real world jewelry shop environments. Drawing on the structure and intent of the MAP curriculum, this session focuses on how shops can approach apprenticeship with clearer expectations, safer practices, and more consistent skill development.

The session will explore how to identify candidates who are well suited to apprenticeship, how to introduce foundational skills without overwhelming new learners, and how to convey critical information in ways that support retention and safe bench behavior. Nanz will also discuss common challenges that arise during training, including uneven skill progression, communication gaps, and concerns about time investment, and how the MAP framework helps address those issues through defined competencies and staged learning.

Attendees will be introduced to tools and resources available through the MJSA Mentorship and Apprenticeship Program, including training guides, planning materials, and instructional support that can help shops build confidence in their training process. The goal of this session is not to promise quick fixes, but to provide a realistic, structured approach to developing apprentices toward core competency while supporting both mentors and learners along the way.