Second group of apprentices completes intensive program

A dozen people who completed registered apprenticeship programs in computerized numerical control (CNC) and mechatronics – and the supportive employers they represent – celebrated that accomplishment during a recent ceremony at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

Four of the apprentices attended the event in person, while a number of others participated remotely.

The companies, the graduates (comprising the second group of apprentices to complete the programs) and their hometowns are:

Three-year CNC program graduates:

• West Pharmaceutical Services – Aaron Carrasco, of Grand Rapids, Mich.; Michael Mascorro, of Muskegon, Mich.; Stephon Northern, of Folcroft; Isaiah Thomsen, of Phoenix, Ariz.; and Devin Tyndall, of Deep Run, N.C.
• Metalkraft Industries – Michael Hockenberry, of Wellsboro, and Justin Stryker, of Columbia Crossroads
• The Electric Materials Co. – Clayton Klimek, of Girard
• The Ames Cos. – Pinalkumar Patel, of Camp Hill

Four-year mechatronics program graduates:

• The Hershey Co. – Frank Galli Jr., of Wapwallopen, and Donald Wachhaus, of Hazleton
• West Pharmaceutical Services – Shawn Gordner, of Williamsport

Keynote speaker Gwen Ross, director of workforce development initiatives within the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development, discussed the importance of expanding apprenticeship programs across the commonwealth.

“Gov. (Josh) Shapiro knows that economic prosperity requires a strong, skilled workforce,” she said, noting that the Pre-Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship Grant Program – which aims to assist employers with talent recruitment and development – would receive a $3 million increase under the administration’s spending plan.

“His proposed budget boosts Pennsylvania’s economy by increasing investments in workforce training and apprenticeship programs, strengthening skills-building programs that lead to family-sustaining wages, and increasing funding to attract and retain business in Pennsylvania,” Ross said. “We can connect the dots between our schools, our trade unions, our companies and the public sector.”

CNC and mechatronics were Penn College’s first apprenticeship programs to be registered through the state Department of Labor & Industry, a list that now includes seven occupations and two pre-apprenticeships.  In the past four years, Penn College has worked with 44 Pennsylvania manufacturers to serve 624 apprentices in various programs.

With the help of the Pre-Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship Grant Program funds, Penn College plans to train at least 60 Advanced Manufacturing pre-apprentices and 160 Advanced Manufacturing apprentices over three years. High school pre-apprentices will be able to participate in on-campus Career Fairs and Industry Day, and apprentices will receive training in Mechatronics, Industrial Manufacturing Technician, CNC, Plastics Process Technician, Robotics and IntroMECH programs.

Joining in the April 4 recognition at the Thompson Professional Development Center were industrial training specialists Thomas W. Fry and Christopher D. Gramling, who remarked on the new journeyworkers’ commitment, as well as the challenges many of them overcame – most notably the pandemic and juggling full-time employment with a rigorous class schedule – on their way to gaining knowledge and improving their job skills.

Annually, each apprenticeship module requires 144 hours of related technical instruction and 2,000 on-the-job training hours, the latter of which is overseen by each apprentice’s respective company. Those companies are responsible for paying the apprentices and providing that hands-on learning environment, while Penn College supplies the related classroom instruction.

Encouragingly on hand for the graduation were Workforce Development’s Ross A. Berger, MIDAS grant manager; Beth M. Bittenbender, executive director of operations/special projects; Alexa R. Boatman and Kristy L. Bower, senior program specialists; Becky A. Freezer, MIDAS and operations coordinator; Sara R. Hillis Ousby, business development manager; and Adam J. Yoder, industrial training specialist.

State Rep. Jamie L. Flick, R-83rd, a 1981 Williamsport Area Community College alumnus in computer information systems, also attended.

For more about Penn College’s apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, email or call Workforce Development at 570-327-4775.

For more about the college, a national leader in applied technology education, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free at 800-367-9222.