Otter Products Partner with CareerWise Youth-Apprenticeship Program

Youth Apprenticeships Means Strengthening Community, Developing Talent Pipeline for Creator of OtterBox Phone Cases

DENVER – November 15, 2017 – CareerWise Colorado, a nonprofit implementing a statewide, three-year youth-apprenticeship program for high school students, today announced Otter Products as a new hiring partner. Otter Products, known for OtterBox smartphone cases and rugged outdoor lifestyle products, will hire four apprentices in 2018 in CareerWise’s Business Operations and Information Technology pathways.

“By partnering with CareerWise to offer youth apprenticeships, we’re creating a new pipeline of skilled talent that will benefit not only Otter Products, but also the entire community,” said Betsy Wheeler, Otter Products’ Chief People Officer.
CareerWise offers three-year apprenticeships in fields such as healthcare, technology, advanced manufacturing, financial services and business operations. As an intermediary between the complex systems of education and industry, it helps companies recruit apprentices to the hiring process, develop training plans that are designed to develop skills and competencies highly relevant to the job, and act as a liaison between schools and businesses to create schedules that work for both.

“CareerWise aims to help communities make the connection between industry needs and how the education system sets up our students to succeed in today’s modern economy,” said Brad Revare, CareerWise director of business partnerships. “We want to create the career pathways for young people through apprenticeship so they don’t have to leave their community to find a good job, and companies don’t have to seek their talent elsewhere.”

In addition to creating talent pipelines in the community, companies can expect tangible financial ROI from the apprentices’ work, a reduction in employee turnover and lower recruiting and training costs.

In turn, apprentices earn valuable workforce experience, a nationally-recognized industry certification and approximately one year’s worth of debt-free college credit.

CareerWise will be recruiting partner businesses through November. For more information, contact Brad Revare at bradley.revare@careerwisecolorado.org or (913) 579-7556.

About Otter Products

Otter Products LLC provides premium accessories for mobile technology through its OtterBox and LifeProof brands. OtterBox is the No. 1-selling smartphone case in the U.S. offering a wide variety of protective options, as well as rugged outdoor products. LifeProof is the No. 1-selling waterproof case in the U.S. with protection from the elements on any adventure.*
At Otter Products, “We Grow to Give.” The company’s success is measured by this mission and brought to life through the OtterCares Foundation. Founded in 2010, OtterCares is focused on inspiring kids to change the world by championing innovative education that encourages students to become entrepreneurs and philanthropists.
For more information, visit www.otterproducts.com.
*Source: The NPD Group/Retail Tracking Service: Cell Phone Device Protection/Units Sold 2012 – 2015

About CareerWise Colorado

CareerWise Colorado is building a statewide system of youth apprenticeships that create pathways for students to access high-demand, high-paying careers at leading Colorado companies. Student apprentices work toward high school graduation and earn postsecondary credit, industry credentials or both in their chosen career path. Established by the Business Experiential-Learning (BEL) Commission created by Gov. John Hickenlooper and chaired by Noel Ginsburg of Intertech Plastics, CareerWise Colorado is launching in school districts in metro Denver, Fort Collins and the Western Slope. 20,000 youth apprentices, or about 10 percent of Colorado students in their last two years of high school, are expected to participate by 2027. More information about CareerWise Colorado is available at www.careerwisecolorado.org.

Media Contact:

Jason Jansky, CareerWise Colorado

(303) 748-3300 | jason.jansky@careerwisecolorado.org