Northeast Indiana Works, Garrett High School Partner on Program
Recently, a ceremony was held in Garrett to unveil a new welding registered apprenticeship created by Northeast Indiana Works and Garrett High School.
Forty juniors and seniors have signed up for the paid apprenticeship. Another 38 sophomores at Garrett are waiting in the wings.
John Delgado, state director of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Office of Apprenticeship, spoke at the ceremony, as did Northeast Indiana Works President and CEO Edmond O’Neal.
The up to three-year welding apprenticeship, approved by the DOL, is an extension of an existing State Earn and Learn (SEAL) career development welding program at Garrett. It is just the third registered apprenticeship in Indiana supported by a workforce development board—in this case, Northeast Indiana Works, which is an approved apprenticeship intermediary. It will also be the largest contingent of students participating among the three programs statewide; the other two involve apprenticeships in precision machining and Certified Nurse Aide.
Before departing the state’s Office of Work-Based Learning and Apprenticeship, Matt Presley assisted Chad Sutton, director of career development at Garrett High, and Kimberly Tempel, Northeast Indiana Works’ senior director of business services/human resources, in developing the registered apprenticeship.
“This DOL youth welding apprenticeship program with Garrett High School serves as a model for all Indiana regional Workforce Development Boards on how to best collaborate, engage employers, and build high-quality work-based learning opportunities for students that will launch careers,” Presley said. “Congratulations to Northeast Indiana Works and Garrett High School for outstanding collaboration on building a high-quality registered apprenticeship program that delivers skilled welders to northeast Indiana, supports employers in their efforts to sustain and grow business, and expands skill development and career opportunities for students.”
The competency-based apprenticeship will include at least 2,000 hours of on-the-job learning and a minimum of 634 hours of related instruction provided by Ivy Tech Community College at Garrett High School. Apprentices completing the program will have demonstrated proficiency in 42 competencies, earned a number of industry-recognized certificates, and acquired 21 Ivy Tech college credits.
“Northeast Indiana Works is committed to driving collaboration to solve workforce challenges and registered apprenticeships are an important part of that. We look forward to helping lead similar local efforts with other partners in northeast Indiana,” said Tempel.
To learn more about Northeast Indiana Works, visit the website.
