Seit 2007 arbeitet "Ausbildung Carolina" (Apprenticeship Carolina) daran, die Anzahl registrierter Ausbildungsplätze im Land zu erhöhen. Mit Erfolg. Seit 2007 haben sich die Ausbildungsprogramme um das Achtfache erhöht. Zu Beginn von Ausbildung Carolina gab es 777 Auszubildende, heute sind es fast 13.400 Lehrlinge.
Apprenticeship Works for South Carolina
Established in 2007, Apprenticeship Carolina works to increase awareness and
use of registered apprenticeships in the state. The growth has been phenomenal.
Since 2007, the number of programs has increased eightfold from 90 to 759, and
there are nearly 13,400 apprentices in South Carolina currently, up from a mere
777 when we started.
Many think of traditional trades such as
construction, electrician and plumber as the ideal occupations for
apprenticeship. Apprenticeship Carolina has broadened that scope to include
nontraditional industry sectors like health care, information technology,
tourism and advanced manufacturing. Because of its innovative approach and fast
growth, Apprenticeship Carolina is held as a model for the nation.
Designed to create crucial recruitment pipelines of young, skilled workers, our
Youth Apprenticeship program works to decrease costly turnover and allows
companies to influence, mold and shape potential future employees. High school
apprentices earn a wage while they learn, and enhance their employability by
obtaining critical work skills. Because high school completion is a requirement
of the program, youth apprenticeship also works to strengthen students' academic
success.
Trident Technical College (TTC) in North Charleston is a great
example of how youth apprenticeship works for local business and industry. From
culinary and hospitality to manufacturing and information technology,
approximately 40 area companies from these sectors joined forces with Trident
and the local chamber of commerce to offer positions to area high school
students. Nearly 80 juniors and seniors took advantage of the
opportunity.
Walter Newman was part of the inaugural group of high
school students. Walter knew he wanted to go to college, but had no idea what
he would study. "I couldn't see wasting all that time and money studying
something that I may never use," said Newman. But last year when Newman was a
junior at Fort Dorchester High School, his guidance counselor told him about the
new manufacturing youth apprenticeship program at TTC.
This year, Newman
is working part-time work at the VTL Group, which designs, develops and
manufactures precision engineered components. He is also attending high school
and taking classes at TTC. When he completes the program this year, not only
will he earn his high school diploma, but he will also have a certificate in
Industrial Mechanics that will count toward an associate degree, a national
Journeyman credential from the United States Department of Labor and two years
of work experience.
Newman told me he doesn't have a lot of time for fun
right now, but it is worth it. This past summer, he worked full time at the VTL
Group and said, "I'd work here 80 hours a week if I could. It is a really good
program, and I would advise anyone to jump on board."
- Filed in "Apprenticeship" by Jimmie Williamson, James C. "Jimmie" Williamson, Ph.D., is the president of the SC Technical College System.