Alabama’s first pre-apprenticeship program is launching this spring at Wallace Community College (WCC) in Dothan.
News of the program’s launch was announced Wednesday by the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship (AOA), the state agency that oversees all apprenticeship matters in Alabama. AOA is partnering with Wallace to create the program.
Pre-apprenticeships are programs offered by educational institutions that teach skills and abilities that make allow for a seamless transition to a more advanced Registered Apprenticeship program.
The offering at Wallace Community College in Dothan being certified as a pre-apprenticeship is the Basic Maintenance Technician (BMT) program.
Basic maintenance technicians are able to install and repair industrial machinery, according to an AOA release, making them highly in demand across Alabama’s growing manufacturing sector.
Additionally, Joe Johnson, director of Workforce Development at WCC, said in a release that individuals who go through the BMT pre-apprenticeship will be well prepared to earn in-demand industry credentials such as the OSHA 10 General Industry certification, NC3 Snap-On multimeter certification, NC3 Snap-On micrometer certification and NC3 Snap-On slide caliper.
“I am delighted that the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship has approved the Wallace Community College Basic Maintenance Technician program as a certified pre-apprenticeship program,” remarked Johnson.
He added, “This designation speaks to the quality of the BMT program and validates that the training will meet business and industries workforce expectations, while ensuring successful participants have an opportunity to be given credit for their prior learning experience.”
“This is a win/win for the program participants and our area business and industry partners,” Johnson concluded.
Students can begin enrolling in the program on April 4, and classes will start in June.
Individuals interested in taking part in the program can contact Amber Dunlap at [email protected] or (334) 556-2208.
Henry Thornton is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can contact him by email: [email protected] or on Twitter @HenryThornton95.
