Looking to help local manufacturers recruit from within, Keystone Community Education Council (KCEC) has created a new building maintenance repairer apprenticeship program for people working full time in the manufacturing field.
The process included teaming with local manufacturers and post-secondary institutions in order to delineate and develop a two-year apprenticeship “to help bridge the skills gap in Northwestern Pennsylvania’s manufacturing workforce,” as KCEC’s pamphlet says.
The program is slated to start in August, and will enable workers to simultaneously earn a state-registered certificate, industry-specific certification(s), and earn credits toward an associate degree — all while receiving on-the-job training.
“This is a great way for employers to reward loyal employees with training, and valued employees stick around longer. Meanwhile, this retention of institutional knowledge helps western Pennsylvania companies continue to thrive.”
Selected apprentices would spend one week every three months in an Erie classroom, learning principles of technology, electronics, industrial power systems, process controls, industrial maintenance welding and robotics, as well as Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety, team-building and problem-solving strategies.
Shawn Delong, KCEC’s apprenticeship coordinator, said KCEC already has secured a few key companies — such as Webco, Kronospan and Clarion Boards — but hopes several more manufacturers become involved.
“With a retiring workforce in many key western Pennsylvania industries, more companies need to step up,” he said. “Whether employers use this program to develop key employees, or as a launch pad for them to receive further customized training, it will also serve to inspire mutual commitment between employers and employees.”
Oil City-based KCEC is one of nine not-for-profit Community Education Councils (CECs), and it is funded largely by the state Department of Education to service Venango, Clarion, Crawford and Mercer counties, as well as the surrounding areas.
Essentially, KCEC’s website says, the council’s mission is to act as a “niche-filler” — to identify, broker and develop educational training options that would not otherwise be available in their service area. Besides their new building maintenance repairer apprenticeship program, KCEC continues to accept new applications from companies to participate in the plastics process technician and machine setter apprenticeship programs.
“Every company needs people who can keep the production line running. It’s hard to find someone who has that skill set because they don’t need just an electrician, they need an electrician who can also do robotics repair,” DeLong said. “They are looking for employees with cross-skills, and that’s what this (new) apprenticeship addresses.”
