LYNDONVILLE, Vt. (WCAX) – A new registered apprenticeship program in Vermont gets participants right on the manufacturing floor with hands-on work headed to the skies and beyond.
Our John McMahon went to Vermont Aerospace Industries in Lyndonville to see how this year’s cohort is building their futures.
It may look like other manufacturing shops we’ve featured in our series, “Build Your Future,” but this one sends precision-milled metal to some of the most important industries around the globe.
“Our main focus is space, aerospace and defense,” said Peggy Clay of Vermont Aerospace Industries.
That includes parts for commercial aircraft and those that go beyond the stratosphere.
“Space we do parts in rockets for Blue Origin. We do quite a bit of work for them,” Clay said.
Vermont Aerospace manufactures thousands of parts a year across commercial and military aircraft in the aerospace industry.
Through a new program partnered with the Labor Department and the Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center, budding manufacturing workers have the chance to get out on the floor through the new CNC operator milling and turning apprenticeship.
Starting in July, the program runs an entire year, offering classroom work accompanied by on-the-job training with a mentor.
Richard Torre is one of those apprentices. He says the work experience is valuable.
“This is a great way to learn. Start out slow, don’t overbear yourself– that’s when you can make mistakes,” Torre said.
Logan Holland, another apprentice, says the classroom time and training were key before getting to work. And it’s work that’s paid– it’s a driver that organizers hope will keep workers in the area.
“We got put out here quicker than I expected. I think that was the right move,” Holland said.
Reporter John McMahon: In a place like the Northeast Kingdom, where there may be a little bit of a job desert, do you think this program will keep kids here?
Peggy Clay: Yes, that’s the goal. That’s my goal. That’s my goal. And I think it will. Again, we’re giving them a pathway and a plan, not for just this one year, but for their entire career, should they choose to stay here.
Akin to the metals they work on, the apprenticeship is an opportunity to shape and build their futures.
Click here for more on Vermont’s Registered Apprenticeship Program.
