The NWMO Regional Apprenticeship Program added 27 new apprentices to the program on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at a signing ceremony. The apprentices will work in welding, machining, information technology, industrial maintenance, auto technician and auto repair.
Apprenticeship allows students to learn through a cooperative education model in which their technical instruction at Hillyard Technical Center (HTC) is enhanced by learning on the job with local employers. Employers benefit by gaining access to the talent at HTC and the opportunity to give students company-specific training within their facilities. Registered youth apprenticeship is the epitome of high-quality career and technical education as it builds a strong connection between education and industry. Companies who hired apprentices this round are Altec; Gray Manufacturing; Midland Steel, Team Tool & Technology; Envision Tech; I&M Machine & Fabrication; Lifeline Foods; Herzog, Summit Truck Bodies; Ken Smith Autobody; Victory Chevrolet; Anderson Auto Group; Sneed Automotive; and Mosaic Life Care.
The cohort includes students from Benton High School, Central High School, Lafayette High School, Webster Learning Center, Cameron High School, Maysville High School, South Holt High School, Bishop LeBlond High School, North Andrew High School, Mid Buchanan High School, Union Star High School, King City High School, Dekalb High School, Savannah High School, Plattsburg High School and East Buchanan High School.
Clara Liles, Apprenticeship Coordinator for HTC, works as a liaison between the companies and students. The program happens within the constraints of Department of Labor and DESE (Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) requirements. This new cohort of students is in addition to the 12 seniors already registered. The senior cohort is employed at Lifeline Foods; Summit Truck Bodies; Clipper Distributing; Blue Scope; Nor Am Cold Storage; Hillyard; I & M; Van Am; Envision Tech; Schuetz Container; and Herzog.
The program started in 2018 through workforce development efforts of the St. Joseph School District and the Chamber of Commerce and is continuing to expand through grant funding.