Apprenticeships

What is a registered apprenticeship, and does your company need one?

Apprenticeships are structured training programs that lead to highly skilled workers for businesses, and for higher wages for workers. Using a blend of book work and hands-on experiences, the apprentices learn best practices for their roles in the process. The combination of on the job and theoretical work assures that associates can perform the tasks correctly and that they are not learning by-the-seat-of-the-pants methods that may not be as effective.

The department of Labor defines 729 occupations that can be apprenticed from ‘able seaman’ and ‘acoustical carpenter’ to ’X-ray equipment tester’ and ‘youth development practitioner.’ Using these lists, the Workforce Investment Board (WIB) has opened up a call for grant proposals to train people for new jobs with a registered apprentice program. If a company wants to create a training program that is not listed, it will need to register the apprenticeship as part of the grant proposal.

 Developing an apprenticeship program requires a needs assessment that establishes that jobs in that skill area are available in a 45-mile radius. Each job is profiled by an expert, such as Dean Pringlemeier, to record each task required and how long it takes. The company provides a planned wage progression towards journeyman status. Then the training is designed by the college to match the skills and competencies needed to accomplish each task effectively.  A curriculum is designed, books located and ordered,  and instructors contracted to teach the needed skills in a logical and timely sequence by the college. Then as the training is finished the company registers the apprentice program. The company gets well-trained, highly skilled associates, and the workers get higher wages and become more productive.

The  industry provides 30% of the funding for the training, which can include pay given to workers while training. Leveraged resources are required from the participating college, and they will vary based on the previous development of the program. Funds can be made available for training costs or for equipment for delivering training.

Many local companies are working with the Corporate & Community Education division of  Spartanburg Community College, which has had success in finding grant funding for apprenticeship training.  Alcoa Home Exteriors and Core Molding have started the OJT (on the job training) for their new program. Exopack has completed the problem-solving class and is moving into machine systems.  Barnet Polymer and Goodyear are working on registering an apprenticeship for  electricians. The Schaffler Group has an apprenticeship program in tool and die machining. LSP in Union has started a plant maintenance apprenticeship program, and Timken and Tycho have completed their two-year machine tool apprentice programs.  Even the soon-to-be-displaced employees of Mrs. Smith’s / Schwan Bakery who are in apprenticeship training will be able to finish the training if they area able to stay in the area until the end of the program in May. 

Maintenance apprentices get a well-rounded introduction to electricity, mechanics, motor controls, pneumatics, hydraulics and electronics in a high tech lab at the SCC-BMW Center at the Tyger River Campus in Duncan. A Festo Mechatronics trainer system, two Mitsubishi robots, industrial style electricity panels and PLC controllers are available in the lab.  Apprenticeships are designed to provide the company with highly competent technicians for better operations. Assisted by the Work Investment Board (WIB), companies release workers to train two days a week. Workers want to make better pay, but they are also concerned with the smooth operation of the plants where they work. They want to be more productive.  New apprenticeships are being developed in electrical work, pipefitting, boilermaking, and welding, as well as a health care apprenticeship for Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs)

For more information, read the FAQ (frequently asked questions) from the SC Department of Commerce at http://www.sccommerce.com/teamscpdfs/WIADoc/frequently%20asked%20questions.doc or contact us 864-592-4408.