Keystone Central Career and Technology Center introduces new industrial maintenance technician pre-apprenticeship

BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP, PA – Keystone Central Career and Technology Center (KC CTC) on Friday said it was proud to announce the inception of an Industrial Maintenance Technician (IMT) pre-apprenticeship within the Agriculture Mechanics Career and Technology class.

A school district release said KCSD recognized the need for Industrial Maintenance Technicians within local business and industry partners. The IMT Pre-Apprenticeship was developed to meet manufacturing firms’ needs to upgrade the skills of the frontline production workers. In the modern advanced manufacturing economy, most production workers, including those on the frontlines, need more than the basic skills that were required in previous decades. To meet demands for quality and safety in a workforce where experienced employees are aging out and new talent is hard to find, employers need to attract and train the skilled workers who will grow this critical sector of the U.S. economy.

Keystone Central Career and Technology Center has partnered with Precision Metal Forming (PMF) Industries of Williamsort to send students from the pre-apprenticeship to their registered apprenticeship program. Sam Shea, Human Resource Manager at PMF stated, “PMF Industries Inc. is thrilled the ATO (Apprenticeship Training Office) has approved Keystone Central’s IMT (Industrial Manufacturing Technician) Pre-Apprenticeship program. Like many businesses, PMF faces huge problems in recruiting skilled individuals as we face a retiring workforce. PMF understands that developing a pathway from High School and Career Technology Centers training (Pre-Apprentice) into skilled industry jobs via a state-approved and credentialed apprenticeship is our key to the future. This is a huge win for all involved such as area businesses looking for skill-based trainable talent; local high school technical training facilities; and for student/apprentices who are earning an income while learning the trade and achieving industry and state recognized certification at no cost to the student/apprentice. We are very thankful for our education partner, Keystone Central, for leading the way. WIN, WIN!”

Kurt Lynch, KC CTC Director, said he “is very proud to offer another avenue to students for success.” He said he looks for other business partners to join the IMT apprenticeship endeavor at Keystone Central. Keystone Central CTC also has a pre-apprenticeship program in CNC programming and a Registered Apprenticeship in CNC programming.