Blog right triangle Apprentice Highlight | Summer Technical Training

Apprentice Highlight | Summer Technical Training

By Lanna Hernandez | CareerWise Marketing Coordinator Apprentice

The internet, a tool that millions of people use on a day-to-day basis, is a place of curiosity,   and where learning possibilities are endless. CareerWise has taken advantage of this, by educating apprentices to gain more knowledge in their career field by hosting a Summer Technical Training program. 

Led by CareerWise K-12 Partnerships Manager Dave Fulton, education project coordinator apprentice Emily Curtis, and Director of K-12 Partnerships Ginny Reece, this virtual training  made a unique learning experience possible for two dozen apprentices across multiple education pathways. 

Adapted from CareerWise New York’s training model, CareerWise Colorado implemented the training to help apprentices gain industry specific skills and certifications using platforms such as Coursera, Udemy, Salesforce and ToolingU. Each individualized syllabus was designed to assist students to gain the skills needed to be successful in their apprenticeship.

“I found the amount of information present useful. There was such a wide variety of courses it helped me learn more about the manufacturing industry, not just my work,” said Excelitas/REO manufacturing tech apprentice, Seamus Healy. 

Photo of Cody Blough
Cody Blough, SparkFun Apprentice

 

The virtual summer program consisted of tests, courses, readings, and practices necessary for apprentices to develop career-ready skills to better prepare them for a professional working environment. “Tech training helped me by taking workplace knowledge I already had and expanding on it with more information,” said Healy, who is a junior at Erie High School.  

 

Program facilitators Curtis and Fulton enjoyed connecting with students across Colorado and learning more about their story and path to apprenticeship.

“Technical training was a big success,” Curtis said. “Some aspects of training that were successful included: attendance and Zoom participation, progress and completion in course work and weekly reflections, as well as the exam passing rate for our Advanced Manufacturing apprentices who were working towards becoming a Certified Manufacturing Associate (CMfgA).”

Cody Blough, a manufacturing tech apprentice at SparkFun and junior at Berthoud High School, was one of the 9 apprentices who earned the CMfgA certification during Technical Training.

The success of this summer program is just the start of an effective tool to implement skills for all apprenticeship pathways. CareerWise is excited to continue utilizing this program to transform students into young professionals ready to enter the modern day workforce.