“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.”
‒ William Butler Yeats
Some Charlotte USA employers are looking back to move ahead. The number of apprenticeship programs in which workers gain technical skills and higher education, while businesses get custom-trained employees have been slowly and quietly gaining traction in the region.
Of course, apprenticeship programs have been around since the middle ages. Then, experienced journeymen passed on their blacksmithing or stoneworking skills to young novices. In that respect, the program hasn’t changed much from centuries ago. However, in 1937, the U.S. government passed the Fitzgerald Act to protect apprentices and standardize the framework for apprenticeship programs that had popped up throughout the country. Today, the federal government maintains the framework, but leaves program details up to the individual states. Signed apprenticeship agreements spelling out individualized terms are worked out by the participating companies and apprentices.
The Carolinas’ registered apprenticeship programs are the result of close cooperation between area businesses, our community and technical colleges, and the states’ labor departments.
South Carolina’s ApprenticeshipSC division encompasses readySC™ and Apprenticeship Carolina, both operated through the state’s technical college system. South Carolina offers companies with eligible, registered apprenticeship programs in target industries the possibilities of tax credits, as well as training and wage reimbursement. Companies have access to the services of state consultants at no charge. Target industries include companies in IT, health care, advanced manufacturing and energy, among others.
North Carolina’s Department of Labor provides general guidelines and tips for employers wanting to begin apprenticeship programs. But it is Apprenticeship 2000, the state’s four-year program that combines classroom work and on-the-job training, that truly sets Charlotte USA apart from other areas.
Two German companies, Blum and Daetwyler, were the forces that launched Apprenticeship 2000 in the Charlotte region in 1995. Blum, a hardware fabricator in Gaston County, and Daetwyler, a printing equipment manufacturer in Mecklenburg County, wanted a sure pipeline of employees that were guaranteed to have the specialized skills their companies needed. Using the German apprenticeship model, the two companies worked with workforce development leader Central Piedmont Community College to design Apprenticeship 2000. High school students are screened and recruited for careers as computer numerical control technicians, machine technicians, tool & die technicians, quality technicians, injection molding technicians and mechatronics electronics technicians. The highly competitive program also is open to seasoned workers.
Graduates end up with an associate’s degree in manufacturing technology, N.C. Department of Labor Apprenticeship Certification, and a guaranteed job with their training company that pays a $34,000 minimum salary plus benefits. Their education and training is cost-free to them, plus apprentices earn a salary while they train. Participating companies are ensured well-trained employees with technical, soft and problem-solving skills. Additionally, companies have discovered that apprentice program graduates tend to be happier, more productive and less likely to turn over than other employees.
Over the last 16 years, five more Charlotte USA companies have joined Apprenticeship 2000, customizing their training through CPCC: Ameritech, a plastics mold designer and manufacturer in Iredell County; Pfaff Molds, an injection mold manufacturer in Charlotte; SARSTEDT, a medical R&D, manufacturing and sales company in Catawba County; Siemens, a designer and manufacturer of components for the energy industry in Charlotte; and Timken, a friction management and power transmission parts manufacturer in Lincoln County.
Siemens, which has begun hiring for 1,000 new positions, is the most recent company to take advantage of Apprenticeship 2000. The program will kick off this fall with six recent high school graduates who will train as machinists. Although they’ll be paid for a full 40-hour week, they’ll be splitting their time between CPCC classes and on-the-floor, hands-on experience overseen by an expert Siemens machinist. Eventually, Siemens might expand the number of apprentices to 50.
Apprenticeship 2000 is an uncommonly strong one. So much so that Industry Week, Charlotte Business Journal and Greater Charlotte Biz all focused on its benefits to regional companies in their May, June 17th and July issues, respectively.
Having a skilled workforce can make or break a location decision. The Carolinas’ outstanding community and technical college systems; four-year acclaimed public and private colleges and universities; and especially, the public-private partnerships, such as Apprenticeship 2000, that create innovative programs and workplace solutions, show our region not only is in the running, but is sprinting ahead of the competition in workforce development. Coupled with our pro-business climate and ease of accessibility, companies considering expansion and relocation need look no further than Charlotte USA.
Spend time on the links and help underwrite professional economic development
Friends Underwriting Economic Development (FUED) and the Charlotte Regional Partnership are collaborating to strengthen our regional economy through professional development. To assist in that effort, the three organizations are planning the Charlotte Regional Partnership/FUED Invitational Golf Tournament on October 5 at The Golf Club @ Ballantyne Resort. Tournament proceeds will fund scholarships for regional economic developers who would not otherwise have the opportunity to pursue professional certification.
Friends Underwriting Economic Development (FUED) recognizes the critical role that regional economic developers play in growing a healthy economy. Therefore, the organization awards annual scholarships for educational training that leads to professional certification. The golf tournament is the major source of scholarship funding.
You can sign up to play here. There will be a 1 p.m. shotgun start followed by an informal cocktail/networking reception. EDAC members who have not already signed up can do so by emailing LaShonda Hart, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Get your bike shorts ready
Work continues on the $4 million Rock Hill Outdoor Center. The 250-acre complex will offer courses for every type of biking imaginable: mountain bike, road bike, BMX/Supercross and Cyclocross tracks, plus trails, not to mention the Giordana Velodrome, a 250-meter track with 40-degree banks and an overhead judging station for seriously competitive cycling events. Although the center, which has a planned spring 2012 opening, will be marketed to bring in outside competitors, it is open to the public.
Soon you’ll hear that whistle blow
After three years, restoration of Piedmont & Northern Railroad is nearing completion. The 12-miles of Gaston County track between Gastonia and Mount Holly (plus a three-mile leg to Belmont) will connect local freight to Norfolk Southern and CSX, which will take it throughout the country. ReLoad LLC already has signed on for when service start up the beginning of November. Boca Raton, Fla.-based Patriot Rail Corp. signed a long-term agreement in December 2010 to operate P&N. Accessibility to short rails have become increasingly attractive to some businesses as fuel costs have risen.
Locations, expansions, contractions
It was just four months ago that Scor SE announced it was purchasing Transamerica Reinsurance. Last week, the French company completed its purchase of the Charlotte-based company, making Scor Global Life Americas, as it is known, the second-largest U.S. life reinsurer. At the time of the acquisition, Scor said that the company would remain in Charlotte.
A year and a half after Electrolux said it was moving its North American headquarters to Charlotte, the relocation is complete. Last week, the Swedish company moved the last of its U.S. business units to its administrative complex in Charlotte.
There’s a new law firm in town. Dykema has opened a Charlotte office, its first in the Southeast.
Elliott Davis, Charlotte, an accounting and consulting firm, has beefed up its international practice by hiring two employees with extensive overseas expertise.
U-verse, AT&T’s TV, high-speed Internet, wireless and home telephone service, is proving to be a boon to the company. AT&T will be hiring about 30 technicians in Charlotte to meet the growing demand.
Updates to previous announcements
Connextions officially opened its new Charlotte call center last week. The Charlotte Regional Partnership, Charlotte Chamber, John Culbertson of Cardinal Real Estate Partners and Jones Lang LaSalle worked together to help the company Inc. locate its Charlotte center. The company has begun hiring for 1,200 new positions, 800 in Charlotte and 400 at its expanded Concord site, with which the Partnership also assisted.
Red Ventures, which expanded into Lancaster County about two years ago, is taking another step towards meeting its promised hiring goal of more than 1,000 people. The sales and marketing company is hosting a job fair this week with the goal of filling over 500 positions.
Siemens’ $170 million gas turbine manufacturing plant is complete and 400 newly hired employees will move into the 550,000-square-foot facility. The German company plans on hiring another 200 people before year end, with another 400 or so joining the payroll over the next few years.
Happy trails
After working for 30 years in Charlotte, Cabarrus County and Union County to develop our regional economy, Maurice Ewing, president and CEO of Union County Partnership for Progress, will be retiring. However, Maurice won’t be spending more time in his garden or renovating old houses anytime soon. He has six months to wind down, with his retirement set for February 15th. In the meantime, Maurice will continue to market Union County and join his regional counterparts around the table at our monthly Economic Development Advisory Committee meetings.
Investor profile
Our investors’ commitment to regionalism allows us to continue and enhance our mission-critical efforts to generate qualified projects, create awareness of the many assets our region offers businesses, and assist communities in responding to projects requests. This week we will highlight Duke Energy, a Charlotte Regional Partnership investor for 20 years. Read about them in the box below and when you see a member of the company, please thank them for their support of regionalism.
Have a great week!
Ronnie L. Bryant, CEcD, FM, HLM
President & CEO
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Charlotte Regional Partnership Investor Focus |
- Photo Credit: (U.S. Stamp Gallery)
Activities and Events
Commercialization of Micro-nano Systems Conference - August 28-31, Grandover Resort, Greensboro: $995, $495 one-day pass, $295 students - Details
IAMC Fall Forum - September 10-14, Philadelphia - Details
Aircraft Interiors Expo Americas - September 12-14, Seattle - Details
IEDC 2011 Annual Conference - September 18-21, Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte - Details
World Affairs Council of Charlotte CEO Series -Christopher J. Kearney, chairman, president & CEO of SPX Corporation, "Driving Innovation in a Global Business" - September 29, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. (lunch presentatiion begins at noon), Westin Charlotte (601 S. College St.), $60 WACC members; $75 non-members - Details or call 704.687.7762
Power Breakfast - Featuring Bill Johnson, chairman, president & CEO of Progress Energy, Sponsored by the Charlotte Business Journal - October 5, 7:30-9:30 a.m., Charlotte Convention Center - $95 ticket/$850 table - Details
World Affairs Council of Charlotte Business Breakfast Series, Jay Bryson, global economist, Wells Fargo - October 6, 8-9:30 a.m.(presentation at 8:30 a.m.)
Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein, 401 S Tryon St., Suite 3000, Charlotte, $10 WACC members; $20 non-member - Details or call 704.687.7762
World Affairs Council of Charlotte CEO Series - Jacques Besnainou, CEO, AREVA North America, October 13, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. (lunch presentation begins at noon), Charlotte City Club,,121 W. Trade St., $50 WACC members; $65 non-members - Details or call 704.687.7762
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