Tag: Apprenticeships

Manufacturers Partner with ECC, The Quality Coach for Training

September 8, 2022 | Campus News

Front-line leaders at two area manufacturers completed advanced apprenticeship programs to hone their leadership skills and bolster their workforces.

Employees at The Children’s Factory, in Union, and RotoMetrics, in Eureka, took part in onsite Leadership Apprenticeship programs, led and facilitated by The Quality Coach (TQC), a leadership coaching and consulting firm.

The training was conducted in partnership with East Central College’s Center for Workforce Development (CWD). The manufacturers worked with the college’s CWD to navigate the funding process and coordinate with The Quality Coach.

The Quality Coach Leadership (TQC) Apprenticeship participants — Pictured are participants in The Quality Coach Leadership (TQC) Apprenticeship program conducted at The Children’s Factory, Union, in partnership with East Central College’s Center for Workforce Development (CWD). Front row, from left, are Dr. Brenda Bouse, TQC president; Ellen Woodruff, TQC; The Children’s Factory training participants Zachariah Hudson, Shannon Mize, Angela Gooch. Shirley Duffer, Tina McKenna, Rachel King, Tammie Pohlmann and Rachel Journey; Melissa Richards, ECC CWD; and Mary Shofner, TQC. Back row, from left, are Amy Eagan, TQC; and The Children’s Factory trainees Ike David, Larry Bettmeng, Adam Seamon, Rose Laroe, Becky Thompson, Justin Adams, Barbie Suite, and Will Hunter. Not pictured is Don Phinney.

The apprenticeship programs were funded through the Missouri Registered Apprenticeship Program (MoAMP), a statewide initiative to improve the ability to deliver innovative pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship training programs. The apprenticeships are registered and validated by the Department of Labor.

Melissa Richards, ECC’s apprenticeship and business training program coordinator, was key in making the apprenticeship a success.

A consortium of nine schools, established by the Missouri Community College Association (MCCA), participate in MoAMP, which utilizes U.S. Department of Labor funding to strengthen workforces and build workers’ competencies

Leadership Training

The TQC Leadership Apprenticeship program is designed to provide practical on-the-job skills for those either moving into a leadership role or those who are currently in a leadership position.

“We were proud and excited to work with these two clients to create, deliver and fund their apprenticeship programs,” Richards said.

She noted that TQC and ECC are at the forefront in strategic apprenticeship trains.

“Over the past year we’ve seen a shift from all technical apprenticeships to now include a strategic focus on Leadership Apprenticeships for future leaders, team leads, supervisors and executive leaders within an industry,” Richards added.

“Retention and succession planning are in the forefront of every employer’s mind and investing in a competency based Registered Apprenticeship program will continue to strengthen the talent and culture for these partners.”

TQC Apprenticeship Program

There were 22 Children’s Factory employees and 15 RotoMetrics employees who took part in the program.

According to Dr. Brenda Bouse, TQC owner, its apprenticeship program is customized to meet company objectives, but includes core and foundational leadership components critical for effective leadership in today’s environment.

“We were thrilled to work with the leaders within RotoMetrics and The Children’s Factory on honing their leadership skills,” she said. “The program included one-on-one coaching and blended learning with tools and resources, including how to best respond to challenges in today’s workplace.

“Our team has a high amount of respect for those working in manufacturing and we are here to partner on successful outcomes in leading people,” Bouse added.

Chuck Wood, plant manager at RotoMetrics, said he previously was a client of The Quality Coach and wanted his team to have the same high level of leadership training.

“I was blown away by the passion that Brenda and her team bring to their jobs and this process,” Wood commented. “We have a very diverse team of leaders with varying degrees of experience — Brenda and her team have a special knack for connecting with anyone where they are on their journey in becoming better leaders.

“I know my team is stronger thanks to the training TQC provided.”

To learn more about MoAMP apprenticeships and registered apprenticeships through ECC’s CWD, visit www.eastcentral.edu/cwd/registered-apprenticeships/ or call 636-649-5800.

Children’s Factory Partners with ECC, Quality Coach for Apprenticeship Program

November 18, 2021 | Campus News

East Central College is collaborating with the Children’s Factory, Union, and Quality Coach Consulting to establish a new apprenticeship program to enhance the leadership and job skills of employees.

According to Fatma Khemiri, senior human resources manager at Children’s Factory, the manufacturer worked with the college’s Center for Workforce Development (CWD) to navigate the funding process and coordinate with Quality Coach.

“The program is under way and all the participants are fully engaged and eager to learn,” Khemiri said. “Our partnership with ECC is a recognition of the great role that the college is playing in Franklin County and particularly in the community of Union.”

He added that the leadership training program will provide new skills, so Children’s Factory leaders will become more successful in their roles.

“This collaboration will allow Children’s Factory to not only provide outstanding products for children, but also add to an outstanding work environment where everyone thrives,” Khemiri said.

He went on to thank Melissa Richards, ECC’s apprenticeship and business training program coordinator, for her work in making the partnership a success.

ECC is celebrating National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) Nov. 15-21. NAW is a celebration where industry, labor, equity, workforce, education and government leaders showcase the successes and value of Registered Apprenticeships.

To learn more about apprenticeship opportunities at ECC, visit https://www.eastcentral.edu/cwd/registered-apprenticeships/.

About Children’s Factory

The Children’s Factory is a manufacturer and distributor that consists of three brands: Angeles, Children’s Factory and Learning Carpets. Its broad assortment provides learning spaces with a cohesive look including storage, seating and floor coverings in addition to unique play equipment that encourages discovery, motor development and social interaction.

To learn more about the manufacturer, visit www.childrensfactory.com or www.excelligence.com.

Students Praise ECC Apprenticeship Program During National Apprenticeship Week

November 17, 2021 | Campus News ECC Rolla

The students enrolled in the Industrial Maintenance Specialization apprenticeship course at East Central College in Rolla have nothing but great things to say about their experience.

“I’m glad ECC does this. It’s nice having the equipment here to physically work on instead of just listening to someone talk about it,” said student Brandon Iske.

An apprenticeship is on-the-job training with job-related instruction intended to develop new skills and to increase employee wages.

“This apprenticeship program is for those in manufacturing who are looking to progress. Our students learn the skills and knowledge necessary for promotion,” Duane Clonts, Industrial Engineering Technology instructor, explained. “One of my students started as a lineman, and after taking last semester’s classes, he was promoted and is now in maintenance.”

ECC Rolla employees are working with Royal Canin, Rolla, and Cohen Architectural Woodworking, St. James, for this apprenticeship program. There are five students enrolled. The specialization takes two years to complete. These students started in January 2021 and are expected to complete the program in December 2022.

“A lot of what I have learned in this program has helped me in my job and will help me in the future,” accounted student Gerald Pulliam.

The program’s instructor has much to do with his student’s success and high praise of the course.

“Duane is very knowledgeable. You wonder how he can keep all that knowledge in his head. It takes a special type of person to teach this class because you have to be so well rounded and know so much,” explained Pulliam. “Duane is very smart and truly one of a kind. I would recommend him specifically because he is such a good teacher.”

Iske had similar sentiments.

“He’s really good. He’s laid back, yet stern. If we need help, he will help us but won’t just come out and say the answer. He guides us there,” he added.

National Apprenticeship Week, Nov. 15-21, celebrates the programs devoted to people evolving their skills in the workplace through an “earn while you learn” model.

For more information on apprenticeships through East Central College, visit https://www.eastcentral.edu/cwd/registered-apprenticeships/.

ECC Boot Camp Teaches Skills to Begin a Career in Manufacturing

September 24, 2021 | Campus News

For Rebecca Bruton, a recent manufacturing boot camp at East Central College opened her eyes to potential employers, and even landed her a job with one.

Bruton, of Washington, was one of six participants in ECC’s Center for Workforce Development’s Pre-apprenticeship Manufacturing Boot Camp program held this summer.

“My incentive to enroll in the boot camp was to learn new skills and qualities to help me become more valuable to potential employers,” she said.

Bruton, 20, is a 2019 St. Francis Borgia Regional High School graduate. She noted that touring the local industries participating in the boot camp was a great benefit.

“I enjoyed touring the employer partners’ plants because seeing their employees working helped me visualize myself working there too,” she added.

The manufacturing boot camp enrollees visited several local industries to gain a better understanding of the manufacturing industry and discuss job opportunities at the companies.

In fact, following the boot camp, Bruton applied and was hired by Clemco Industries Corp. as a shipping apprentice where she is training to be a puller/packer.

“The soft skills I learned gave me an advantage over other applicants because they are valuable to all employers,” she commented. “My career goal is to work for a strong, well-established company, like Clemco, in a position that I enjoy and allows me to continue to grow and strengthen my skills.”

According to Bruton, the CWD boot camp could benefit anyone looking for a career in manufacturing, and the opportunity came at no cost.

“Everyone I met was welcoming and encouraging and genuinely wanted to see me and the other participants succeed. I liked that the camp guaranteed interviews with the employer partners,” Bruton added. “The boot camp was also free, which was a bonus for me.”

For more information, contact the Center for Workforce Development at training@eastcentral.edu or 636-649-5800. The manufacturing pre-apprenticeship program website is https://www.eastcentral.edu/cwd/pre-apprenticeship-program/.

WEG Looks to Hire, Sponsor Employees Through ECC Program

August 2, 2021 | Campus News

WEG Transformers USA (WEG), is seeking to hire multiple new employees, and then sponsor them through East Central College’s Registered Apprenticeship Program.

ECC’s Apprenticeship Program, though the Center for Workforce Development, provides training to employees of area manufacturers, which is tailored to the needs of each company. The apprenticeships in ECC’s career and tech programs provides a chance for employees to earn wages while they are taking part in the apprenticeship.

Team members in these programs will be represented by IUE-CWA, Local 86114.

According to WEG, ECC’s registered apprenticeship programs provide in-depth skill training in areas such as industrial maintenance, welding and machining, to meet the needs of local companies.

“We are highly impressed with the innovative Apprenticeship Program at ECC and we look forward to training new employees,” said Lacey Oswald, human resource generalist with WEG.

“We are very fortunate to have a resource in our community such as ECC that provides state-of-the-art training for companies in our area. We are very excited to have another opportunity to invest in our employees in the manner.”

ECC and WEG have partnered previously to provide training to employees.

ECC apprentices learn on the job while also taking classes at the college that can lead to a certificate and/or a degree in high-demand manufacturing fields.

An apprenticeship shows current and potential employees that a company is willing to invest in them. The investment strengthens a company’s workforce retention efforts.

WEG specializes in the manufacturing, assembly, supervision, and commissioning services of Power and Distribution Transformers – refer to www.weg.us for additional details about WEG’s product and other relevant matters.

Currently, WEG’s product demand has been growing substantially and the company is looking for determined, committed and enthusiastic people to help increase operations for one of three manufacturing facilities in Heidmann Industrial Park in Washington.

To become eligible to participate in an ECC apprenticeship, job seekers must apply for a position at WEG. If the applicant is hired, then ECC partners with WEG to provide the required skill-set training.

To apply for a position at WEG, visit https://weg.us/contact/ and click the “Apply Today” button, or call the company’s Washington location at 636-239-9300 to speak with Chris Vansickle, HR Manager.

ECC Awarded Pre-Apprenticeship Funding

May 5, 2021 | Campus News

The Missouri Office of Workforce Development (OWD) recently released a list of pre-apprenticeship programs that will be receiving grants of up to $75,000 as part of the Missouri Apprentice Ready initiative.

East Central College is one of just 10 applicants to receive an award that were issued across the state to other community colleges and area organizations. A pre-apprentice receives technical and career awareness skills development through industry relevant training and workplace exposure supervised by a mentor.

The pre-apprenticeship program will cultivate relationships with area job centers, community-based organizations, and employers to ensure that pre-apprentices can easily access tutoring, case management, childcare, mental health supports, transportation, and housing.

“This grant is key to helping our area manufacturers,” says Dr. Ed Shelton, executive director, ECC’s Center for Workforce Development. “Our program is geared to providing workers with the job skills they need to be a successful candidate to fill one of the many vacancies in the manufacturing industry throughout east central Missouri.”

Several area manufacturers support ECC’s program, that include WEG, Clemco Industries, Henniges Automotive, GH Tool and Mold and Cohen Architectural Woodworking.

WEG, specifically, is looking for their pre-apprentices to receive an entry assessment, as well as safety training, computer basics, industrial math, effective communication, team building, quality, lean and manufacturing processes.

Pre-apprenticeship programs will be provided at no cost to the participant and are also designed to prepare workers to enter and succeed in a Registered Apprenticeship program.

“We have great success with 12 area manufacturers participating in our Registered Apprenticeship program”, says Dr. Shelton. “The programs train and enhance the job skills of current workers, which leads to the positive retention efforts of a company’s workforce.”

Once completed, a registered apprentice receives a one-year certificate in Manufacturing from East Central College with the opportunity to complete a Manufacturing degree.

For more information about pre-apprenticeship or registered apprenticeships, contact the ECC Center for Workforce Development at 636-649-5800 or email training@eastcentral.edu.

Manufacturer, Employer Benefit from ECC Program

October 26, 2020 | Campus News

Brian Miriani recently worked with East Central College’s Center for Workforce Development (CWD) to complete an apprenticeship program tailored to fit his skills and the needs of his employer.

CWD partnered with Miriani’s employer, Texwrap Packaging, Washington, to develop a Machinist Registered apprenticeship program through the U.S Department of Labor in 2017.

Miriani completed the program in July and received his certification this month.

According to Melissa Richards, CWD apprenticeship and business training program coordinator, Miriani continued to work with Texwrap, which manufactures shrink wrapping systems, while he took apprenticeship classes.

“Brian attended classes, usually after work, to complete the Precision Machining Certificate of Specialization,” she said. “He was able to earn while he learned, and work through the program at his own pace to balance work, life and education.”

Richards added that through the apprenticeship program, Miriani received progression wage increases while receiving the technical training at ECC.

There were many people who worked with Miriani to help him achieve the Machinist Registered certification, including Richards; Curtis Elliott, primary precision machining instructor; John Rucker, shop math for manufacturing instructor; Dr. Edward Shelton, executive director of workforce development; and Cindy Brinker, grant and program administrator.

“It truly took a team to help him complete one of these programs,” Richards said

To learn more about the ECC CWD apprenticeship programs visit www.eastcentral.edu/cwd/.

East Central College to Receive More Than $500,000 to Expand Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeships

July 22, 2019 | Campus News

East Central College will continue to lead Missouri in advanced manufacturing apprenticeships thanks to a grant provided by the U.S. Department of Labor.

The U.S. DOL announced last month that Missouri will receive nearly $12 million to create the Missouri Apprenticeships in Manufacturing Program (MoAMP), a statewide initiative to improve the ability to deliver innovative pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship training programs.

Participants will learn skills and earn industry credentials, certificates and/or degrees that will lead to high-demand entry-and middle-skills occupations in the advanced manufacturing industry.

More than $500,000 will be awarded to East Central College to continue its current registered apprenticeship program and create additional apprenticeship opportunities.

“East Central College is a leader in the development and implementation of U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeships,” says Dr. Jon Bauer, president of East Central College. “ECC currently works with nine area companies on apprenticeship programs that includes nearly 40 apprentices. Advanced Manufacturing is crucial to the success of our area, where one in five jobs in the East Central College service area are in manufacturing.”

ECC apprentices learn on the job while also taking classes at East Central College that can lead to a certificate and/or a degree in high-demand manufacturing fields.

Advanced manufacturing in Missouri represents nearly nine percent of total private sector employment with more than 200,000 workers across some 9,700 establishments in 29 industries. From 2012-2017, Missouri’s manufacturing employment grew by 17,555.

The grant-writing effort was led by the Missouri Community College Association and St. Louis Community College, which will act as the grant’s fiscal agent. The grant application was also written with extensive input from state workforce development leaders and workforce investment boards.

The nine-member consortium of Missouri’s community colleges and State Technical College of Missouri, and private-sector partner, National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS), will target three career pathways of occupations within advanced manufacturing: automation and systems, logistics, and production and maintenance.

The nine colleges that will participate in the statewide consortium are East Central College (Union), Jefferson College (Hillsboro), Metropolitan Community College (Kansas City), Mineral Area College (Park Hills), Moberly Area Community College, St. Charles Community College, St. Louis Community College, State Fair Community College (Sedalia), and State Technical College of Missouri (Linn).

East Central College Named Top Community College Provider of Apprenticeships in U.S.

November 15, 2017 | Campus News Inspiring Excellence

Sullivan-based Aerofil Technology Inc. competes on the global market, and maintaining a developed workforce is crucial to keeping up with demand.

“The industry keeps changing, and we have to change with it. You have to keep getting better as a company, and training employees is a part of that,” said Aerofil CEO Bob Dunaway.

The company reached out to East Central College in Union for help.

“East Central College is proud to be the workforce training provider for the area,” said President Dr. Jon Bauer, “and we credit Aerofil for dedicating its time and resources to its employees. It makes the workforce stronger, and it makes the local economy stronger.”

East Central College instructors are currently delivering training to Aerofil employees in manufacturing maintenance and logistics at the Aerofil facility. It’s being made possible through a U.S. Department of Labor apprenticeship grant – tasking institutions to design programs to help close the skills gap in their area.

“Our country faces a chronic shortage of skilled laborers,” said HBM Holdings CEO Mike DeCola. The company recently acquired Aerofil. “We have to close that gap. As employers, it is our responsibility to train our workers, and no one is training employees better than Aerofil and East Central College.”

More than 100 registered apprenticeships are being created through the partnership, and it’s getting noticed at the national level.

“Not only is East Central College a leader in Missouri, but no other community college in the United States provides more registered apprenticeships than they do,” said Neil Perry, Missouri State Director of the U.S. Department of Labor.

Missouri now ranks third in the country in registered apprenticeships. “Community colleges like East Central College are a big part of the reason why,” said Perry.

After completion of an apprenticeship, Aerofil employees will receive a Certificate of Specialization in Industrial Maintenance Technology and will receive industry credentials. “East Central College figured out how to make this partnership work,” said Dunaway. “So far, it has been fantastic.”

East Central College’s Center for Workforce Development (CWD) launched the program with Aerofil in April 2017. In addition to 31 credit hours, the program also consists of 3,900 hours of structured, on-the-job training. CWD spent nearly two years researching and designing the apprenticeship program before its launch.

“This is a great example of collaboration and innovation,” said Dr. Bauer. “Many departments at East Central College came together to deliver programming that specifically meet the needs of Aerofil.”

It is being fully funded by the DOL grant program and Aerofil at no cost to the student. The funds are paying all costs for industry credentials, program administration, tuition, fees, books, supplies and apprentice wages.

“These types of partnerships don’t happen in a vacuum. They don’t happen overnight. Hard work got us here, and hard work will keep this partnership strong,” said Missouri Director of Workforce Development Mardy Leathers.

The grant program was originally scheduled to expire in April 2018. Due to the success of the program, it has been extended an additional year. “Programs such as this will give more businesses the chance to work with colleges like East Central to train their employees for the future,” explained Leathers.

The event coincided with National Apprenticeship Week – a national celebration that offers leaders in business, labor, education, and other critical partners a chance to express their support for Apprenticeship.

Workers Wanted: ECC Creates Apprenticeship Program for Local Workforce

February 10, 2017 | Campus News

Computer technology, health care, construction, and high-skill manufacturing account for nearly 54 percent of the American labor market, according to the National Skills Coalition. Unfortunately, only 44 percent of workers are sufficiently trained for those high-demand jobs.

East Central College is trying to buck that trend. Thanks to an $87,000 grant from the Missouri Division of Workforce Development, the college will soon build an apprenticeship program.

“We know employers in the area are faced with a skills gap,” said Mardy Leathers, Workforce Development executive director. “We want to provide both the academic education needed for the workforce and the hands-on skills to land a job in their companies.”

Statewide, there are nearly 6,500 manufacturing facilities that need highly skilled workers.

“Franklin County has more than four times the manufacturing establishments than any other county in our service region,” said Jeremy Goss, Workforce Development coordinator of business development and training. “They make up near 25 percent of all jobs in the area, higher than any other category.”

In partnership with local industry, two registered apprenticeship programs will be offered by East Central: precision machinist and industrial maintenance technician.

“These are two or three-year programs,” said Leathers. “Students enrolled in the program will get 4,000 – 6,000 structured on-the-job training hours, 33 college credit hours, industry-recognized credentials, and pay increases based on academic progress. All of this results in a Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Certificate along with industry certifications and academic credit – each poised to create a dynamic and high performing employee in the advanced manufacturing sector.”

The mission of the Center for Workforce Development is to establish and promote economic opportunities that lead to a comprehensive workforce system in the ECC Service Region (Franklin, Warren, Gasconade, Maries, Crawford, Dent, Osage, and Phelps Counties).

Businesses or students interested in the program should contact Jeremy Goss via email or call 636-649-5806.