National Manufacturing Day, organized nationally by The Manufacturing Institute, celebrates the education of students, community stakeholders and other industry professionals about the reality of modern manufacturing careers. As manufacturers seek to fill skilled trade roles, some McWane facilities have found success in apprenticeships to increase exposure and awareness of careers in manufacturing through training on the job.
"Our apprenticeship program benefits the facility by growing our own master millwrights and master electricians," Tyler Pipe HR Generalist Ivan Sturgeon said. "The apprentices combine in-class learning with on-the-job training designed for the maintenance department's needs. Once the apprentice completes the program, we have a well-trained and experienced master millwright or master electrician. Of course, they don't stop learning. Our senior maintenance team members continue to provide guidance and instruction to the younger team members."
Apprenticeships help expand opportunities for those who have the right work ethic and aptitude for a role but lack the necessary skills. In addition, it can also maintain a consistent pipeline and succession plan for positions that are historically difficult to fill.
McWane Ductile Ohio (MDO) operates their program internally through a bid process. This year, the program has its first female electrical apprentice, Abby Clark.
"The benefit of the program is that we are able to train ‘in house’ and build our pipeline of skilled labor within our facility," MDO HR Manager Jolinda Kistler said. "Everything that the apprentices learn is related to what MDO needs from a skilled labor perspective."
At M&H Valve, a local partnership has helped expand its apprentice program to a competitive selection of students. The facility is an industry partner of The Alabama FAME (Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education) program at Gadsden State Community College.
Also taking advantage of local partnerships is Tyler Pipe, working with Tyler Junior College to accommodate a structured course schedule, with apprentices attending one class per 8-week session and completing shifts at the plant.
Facilities with apprenticeships evaluate needs and identify overall tracts. Clow Valve offers three focuses – Maintenance, Robotics/Programming and Machining.
"We looked at our needs at both facilities to determine which would benefit production the most and provide added value for potential apprentices," Clow Valve HR Coordinator Kaleigh Robertson said. "We then have a list of area schools to which we send opportunities.