The Dean of Workforce Engagement and Industrial Careers at Kaskaskia College is working to expand the number of employers utilizing a new apprenticeship program being coordinated through the college.
Joy Fitts told the Greater Centralia Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon on Wednesday she feels apprenticeships will play an essential role in providing a skilled labor workforce. She notes there are 1,300 occupations registered through the US Department of Labor that is eligible for apprenticeships. They range from traditional vocational fields such as welding to computer programming, agriculture, certified nursing assistance, truck driver training, as well as business and finance occupations.
Fitts says they can work with employers to develop a program to meet their needs for as few as one apprentice.
“They are able to recruit and train and take a student and train them part-time and develop their skills as they are learning in the classroom so when they graduate with a degree or certificate they are ready to enter into a full-time position with that employer.”
And Fitts says there are benefits to the employee/student who enters an apprenticeship.
Fitts says Kaskaskia College is an approved employer sponsor for the US Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship.
The college is already working with North American Lighting n Salem and ConAgra in Centralia on an industrial maintenance mechanic apprenticeship program and is just announcing an apprenticeship partnership for two students at CF Fabricators in Hoffman for a welding technology apprenticeship program.
The two entering the apprenticeship program at CF Fabricators are Logan Smith of Centralia and Cayden Harris of Salem. Smith noted it’s going to be great learning welding and then actually getting to weld on the job. Harris said he first became aware of the apprenticeship program via a job fair and became very interested in how the partnership would benefit him to get to a job faster.
CF Fabricators Director of Operations Bryan McIntosh said it has been great that Kaskaskia College was able to customize a program that can teach the skills to new employees that will prep them for our industry.
Employers interested in learning more about apprenticeship opportunities for their business can contact Fitts at 618-545-3113 or email jfitts@kaskaskia.edu.
KC Dean of Workforce Engagement and Industrial Careers Joy Fitts explains the Carreer Pathways program that can used to match up interests with careers at the Centralia Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon on Wednesday.
