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If you’re like me, when you first think of apprenticeships you think of plumbing or HVAC individuals working alongside skilled business owners and workers to train in their hands-on work as they learn the numerous details necessary to do their jobs. While these programs can be part of the new apprenticeship program at Pioneer Technology Center, the extent the program can expand seems boundless.
The apprenticeship initiative is new across technology centers in the state, and therefore this position of Apprenticeship Training Coordinator is a new one that is now held by Ian Freeman. Freeman appreciates the opportunity to move from being PTC’s Welding Instructor to one that contributes to the community on a larger scale. He says, “I will have the capability to support individuals and businesses throughout the county across various industries, which has always been a goal of mine.”
According to Traci Thorpe, Superintendent/CEO of PTC, “The Apprenticeship Training Coordinator will play a pivotal role in workforce development by bridging the gap between education and industry. Through strong partnerships with local businesses and providing students with hands-on, real-world training, apprenticeship pathways can help cultivate a skilled workforce that meets the needs of our communities.”
The mission of the program is to facilitate the connection between employers and potential employees who may have a hard time finding qualified candidates. Due to its ability to allow training while at the same time providing income to the employee, the “learn and earn” element of an internship fosters longer-term commitment and growth. As a matter of fact, the federal apprenticeship website states that employment retention for apprentices is 90% after the apprenticeship time ends. Typically, an apprenticeship requires a commitment of one to four years, Freeman stresses, although Oklahoma has introduced an innovative program within the Careertech system that can be as brief as 600 hours. In other words, there are many differences in programs, and PTC can work with industry to find the one that fits their needs.
Centerline Inc. is the first business to work with PTC and the new apprenticeship program, and this fall there are others being developed. The thing is, PTC can consider the students in their current classes for work in the field, and that is exciting for students who all express a greater desire to work more diligently in the classroom when they can apply their knowledge immediately in a work setting.
However, another avenue that works for this kind of apprenticeship for employers is if a company wishes to promote within. For instance, you have a reliable and capable employee who works in a shop position or entry level office one, and you have an HR position open. That individual has the perfect personality, but does not have the skills you require and need for the personnel-related opening. Your business could work with Freeman to establish an apprenticeship program for the skills training, quite possibly with financial incentives that can assist during the apprenticeship period. In this situation, companies can take advantage when the right person is already employed within the business.
Many times, the community simply doesn’t have the number of skilled employees required by some employers, and this program aims to bridge that gap with resources to assist in the meantime. This is a great tool to help draw business and industry to our community. Also, the program encourages individuals to seek training they’ve previously considered but not felt they could move forward with since they’d normally do so without pay while attending to their education, and it allows businesses to have apprenticeships which allow them to see how individuals grow in their skills while they are working in the environment and getting to know the business.
Apprenticeships are designed to be straightforward, Freeman explains, and benefit all involved. This is a win-win situation that encourages greater participation. Employers monitor the on-the-job training hours, while the school tracks the related instruction. Freeman says, “Upon completion of the apprenticeship, both the apprentice and the employer receive a state and/or federal recognized certification, depending on the type of apprenticeship.” Some additional financial resources available to assist are offsetting training costs, compensating for lost productivity during instruction and covering wages for new apprentices.
Freeman can help businesses discover how to take advantage of these resources while meeting their employee needs. His goal is to invest in the youth in this community and foster collaboration between education and industry while laying a foundation for a future where the workforce is skilled, adaptable and ready to face the challenges of tomorrow.
According to Kahle Goff, Executive Director of Full-Time Programs, Freeman is the right individual who “not only possessed trade-related skills, an understanding or experience with apprenticeships, as well as connections with business and industry.” Goff explains that Freeman exceeds in all these categories and has shown “dedication to growing young professionals through his involvement with Hooded Heroes, Crew Collaborative and PTC Student Ambassadors.”
Freeman loves being active in these programs mentioned by Goff and says some of his best times are serving the students in them. For instance, he has served for 22 years as a board member with Hooded Heroes, a nonprofit organization in the welding industry that helps students acquire the equipment they need. This is a cost that often hinders students from gaining employment even after their training and education. Crew Collaborative, on the other hand, serves students in numerous blue-collar industries, and Freeman has been a classroom speaker for at-risk students. The PTC Student Ambassadors are leaders at the school, providing tours to those visiting the school and working at booths when there are special days on campus. These programs were part of his life when he was a Welding instructor at PTC, and they will continue to be part of it now. His work with students to increase their leadership skills and their chances of success as they move into their careers remains essential in his life at PTC as he has moved into the apprenticeship program.
Goff and others at PTC are excited about the direction this program will take the businesses in the community, recognizing that a well-rounded education goes far beyond textbooks. Goff says, “While theoretical knowledge is essential, practical application in a workplace setting is equally crucial. By engaging in apprenticeships, students can apply the knowledge they acquired while in PTC’s classrooms to authentic situations, gaining practical skills that can’t be taught from the curriculum alone.”
Pioneer Technology Center was recently awarded the Gold Star Award from the Oklahoma Association of Career & Technology Education (OKACTE) for the 22nd year in a row, an award given to tech centers with exceptional programs that assist the community. It is easy to see how their innovative ideas have continued to increase their value to Ponca City and surrounding communities.
Freeman explains that when you consider that “some of the fastest growing sectors in today’s job market require an education that can be achieved through an apprenticeship program,” it is easy to understand the value. He goes on to add, “The perception of apprenticeships as solely related to traditional trades is outdated. There are now apprenticeships available in a diverse range of fields, including healthcare, aviation, engineering, human resources, manufacturing and green energy, among others.” You can find nearly 16,000 distinct occupations on the U.S. Department of Labor website, https://www.apprenticeship.gov/apprenticeship-occupations . Freeman says that if you have a need, there is likely an apprenticeship available that covers that need, and he can develop your program in a matter of weeks (sometimes a little as two weeks).
Oklahoma already has 270 programs on their listing of programs found at https://www.apprenticeshipsok.com/ which already includes the PTC collaboration with Centerline Inc. There are additional apprenticeships in the works now, such as one for laser welding. It is exciting to know that employers can consider new employees who are students in programs at PTC, or they can look at their employee base to see if they have internal candidates interested in promotions but in need of training. Employees can stay and learn new jobs. It’s an exciting prospect. Also, many companies may now advertise positions as apprenticeships if they are unlikely to find individuals already trained with their specific needs. This may be exactly what is needed for those businesses to get just the right employees to fit their needs.
Reach out to Ian Freeman to discuss what the Apprenticeship Training Program can do for business and industry and the students in this community. According to the federal apprenticeship website, November 17-23 is National Apprenticeship Week. Let’s celebrate with PTC and Ian Freeman. You may be surprised at the apprenticeships that can be developed to meet your specific needs.
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Ian Freeman says, “Upon completion of the apprenticeship, both the apprentice and the employer receive a state and/or federal recognized certification, depending on the type of apprenticeship.” Some additional financial resources available to assist are offsetting training costs, compensating for lost productivity during instruction and covering wages for new apprentices.
Kahle Goff says, “While theoretical knowledge is essential, practical application in a workplace setting is equally crucial. By engaging in apprenticeships, students can apply the knowledge they acquired while in PTC’s classrooms to authentic situations, gaining practical skills that can’t be taught from the curriculum alone.”
Pioneer Technology Center was recently awarded the Gold Star Award from the Oklahoma Association of Career & Technology Education (OKACTE) for the 22nd year in a row, an award given to tech centers with exceptional programs that assist the community.
He goes on to add, “The perception of apprenticeships as solely related to traditional trades is outdated. There are now apprenticeships available in a diverse range of fields, including healthcare, aviation, engineering, human resources, manufacturing and green energy, among others.”
You can find nearly 16,000 distinct occupations on the U.S. Department of Labor website, https://www.apprenticeship.gov/apprenticeship-occupations .
The two PHOTOGRAPHS included were taken by me in Ian Freeman’s office at PTC.
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