Student Tour for Manufacturers’ Association Pre-Apprenticeship Program Kicked Off at Harley-Davidson’s York, PA Facility
(York, PA) – The Manufacturers’ Association started the 6th year of its high school Pre-Apprenticeship program with a tour hosted by Harley-Davidson’s Vehicle Operations facility in York, PA. The Association’s Pre-Apprenticeship continues throughout the 2022-2023 school year and introduces high school students to advanced manufacturing careers in seven different trades. The program includes York County and four other counties in the region which will also have local manufacturers hosting kickoff events for students.
The York County kickoff of the program, in partnership with the York County Alliance for Learning who coordinates career programs in York County with the school districts, was hosted by Harley-Davidson’s York facility. This year’s program in York County includes 27 students from 7 different school districts. The day included a tour of Harley-Davidson’s vehicle operations assembly facility, a presentation about the company and potential career opportunities. Harley-Davidson is one of over 50 manufacturers in the region who sponsor registered apprenticeships for their employees in partnership with the Manufacturers’ Association.
“Pre-Apprenticeships offer an excellent opportunity to introduce high-tech modern manufacturing careers to all students” said Miranda Martz, the program’s Pre-Apprenticeship Coordinator at the Association. “The program also provides a pathway for advance placement in employer apprenticeships – accelerating high wage, high quality careers for graduates,” she stated.
Pre-apprenticeship programs are designed to offer classroom and hands-on learning specifically to train students to enter a Registered Apprenticeship program with an employer. The Association’s program started in 2017 with a handful of students and this year expects to enroll nearly 100 students across several counties in south central Pennsylvania. Students receive several industry recognized credentials and upon graduation have the opportunity to enter full registered apprenticeship programs with advanced placement at manufacturers who offer registered apprenticeship opportunities to their employees.
The program is registered with the PA Department of Labor (L&I) and has received support from the state agency to expand the program across south central Pennsylvania. L&I estimates that on average, apprentices earn much higher starting wages after completion of programs and are on track to earn $300,000 more than other workers over their careers. For every dollar spent on apprenticeships, employers get an average of $1.47 back in increased productivity.
The other county kickoff plant tours will continue through October and will include Pratt Whitney in Dauphin County, ThermoFisher Scientific in Perry County, and Advanced Food Products in Lancaster County. The program will be working with additional school districts and employers throughout the year to continue to expand the program. In August, the Association completed its first program with the Milton Hershey School in Dauphin County.