#491. Apprenticeship Follow-up

Apprenticeship Follow-up

Two weeks ago, our Agurban discussed an apprenticeship program begun in Charlotte, NC. We are happy to report this week that we have learned of two more programs designed to address the issue of a shortage of manufacturing workers. Below are the programs we have learned about:

– Youth Apprenticeship Program in Manufacturing – Charleston, SC. This fall, 11 juniors and seniors from six Lowcountry high schools will be the first participants of this new program, a collaboration with Trident Technical College and the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce. The students will work as paid industrial mechanical mechanics at Bosch, Detyens Shipyards, Huber Manufacturing, IFA Rotorian, and VTL Group. The program allows the students to take high school classes in the morning and the industrial mechanics courses in the afternoon twice a week. At the end of the two-year program, the students will earn a high school diploma, an Industrial Mechanics certificate from Trident Tech, a journeyman credential from the U.S. Department of Labor, and two years of paid work experience. Organizers say the program is intended to create a pool of skilled talent for manufacturers in the region. (Brad Neese, Director, Apprenticeship Carolina Division of Economic Development & Workforce Competitiveness)

– Columbus Technical College, the Muscogee County School System and Pratt-Whitney have a program similar to the one mentioned in your article. Seniors at several high schools in Columbus can apply for the program which provides training in the first semester of their senior year to obtain a Certified Manufacturing Specialist Certificate. The second semester (if they are 18 years old), they can do a part time, paid internship at Pratt-Whitney. If they are not 18, they will go on to become an Advanced Manufacturing Specialist. After the student graduates they are given the opportunity to apply for a full time job at Pratt-Whitney. While not everyone is hired, they all receive valuable job experience. Plus we have a growing pool of young people who are Certified Manufacturing Specialists. (Katie Howard, River Valley Regional Commission, Columbus, GA)

Thank you for sharing this information! We believe programs such as these will be crucial to solving the skilled worker shortage in the manufacturing sector.