The second-year curriculum for Machine Trades Program students at New Castle Career Center (NCCC) includes the opportunity for apprenticeships with local partners, such as Crown Equipment and Kent Machine. These apprenticeships allow students to apply foundational knowledge learned in their first year to real-world careers. Students work four days a week at their apprenticeships and spend one day a week in class to allow seniors to continue their work on their college credits. At the end of the two years they can earn up to 25 college credits and a technical diploma from Ivy Tech.
These apprenticeships are facilitated by the New Castle Career Center and Career Boost. Career Boost is a collaboration between Eastern Indiana Works and East Central Education Service Center.
“We work with schools, businesses, and higher education to bring forward apprenticeship opportunities for students. We have been fortunate to work with Mackenzie and her staff at NCCC,” noted Paula Fiscus of the Eastern Indiana Education Service Center. Paula works closely with Jordan Steiner from Eastern Indiana Works on providing apprenticeships for NCCC students.
Program Emphasizes Hands-On Learning
The apprenticeship program emphasizes hands-on learning and is essential in the machining industry due to the constant emergence of new technologies and skills. These programs put students on a solid career track by allowing them to experience a work setting while continuing their education. The practical experience gained by students who enter the workforce directly after the program will be invaluable throughout their careers.
Students Carter Hoelscher, Nathaniel Sizemore, and Carley Smith are currently serving as apprentices at Crown Equipment, and students Trent Larrison and Asher Perrin are at Kent Machine. More community partners are expected to offer apprenticeships in the future.
Building a Skilled Workforce in Machine Trades
“The Machine Trades program has given students choosing to pursue engineering a tremendous advantage by providing hands-on experience,” stated Instructor Greg Dickerson. He adds that one of their graduates was hired by Rose Hulman to work as a Teaching Assistant in their machining lab after one year. In this role, he taught Juniors and Seniors how to operate tool room equipment as a sophomore. Another student is working at a shop in Muncie that is helping to pay his tuition to attend Purdue Polytech in Anderson as he works toward his engineering degree.
Dickerson believes that the severe shortage of skilled trade workers will lead to more state and federal programs supporting similar apprenticeship partnerships in the future. He credits NCCC Director Mackenzie Jackson for her forward-thinking and for providing apprenticeship opportunities to students and the community.
Visit nccareercenter.org for more information about the apprenticeships and other programs available through the New Castle Career Center.