NH Forward Receives $10,000 Grant From Franklin Savings Bank

Merrimack NH

28 February, 2022

9:04 AM

Description

Press release from Franklin Savings Bank: Feb. 27, 2022 Franklin Savings Bank awarded NH Forward a $10,000 grant through its Fund for Community Advancement to assist the group with offering a manufacturing apprenticeship program to students at Franklin High School in partnership with the German American Chamber of Commerce (GACC). Students enrolled in the program will complete four college-level courses in machine tool math, blueprint reading, solid modeling and computer assisted design (CAD) taught by an instructor from Lakes Region Community College (LRCC). Upon successful completion of the courses, students will earn college credits towards an associate degree in mechatronics from LRCC, and the GACC will provide their DOL Registered Mechatronics Apprenticeship. Ron Magoon, President & CEO, commented, "We are pleased for the opportunity to provide our support to the manufacturing apprenticeship program. This endeavor has the potential to improve the lives of children living in the greater Franklin community by providing opportunities for a meaningful career upon graduating from high school." Students participating in the program will receive opportunities for on-the-job-training with a manufacturer located in Franklin while pursuing their associates degree from LRCC. Their tuition will also be fully paid for by the company along with a stipend to cover their expenses. "I was an educator for 37 years, teaching physics, mechanical engineering and robotics," commented Ken Wells, President of NH Forward. "I know from my experience working with students that many develop career aspirations as early as age 15 or 16. Students residing in rural areas where transportation to a distant vocational high school may be a barrier are more open to considering opportunities for local business-sponsored apprenticeships. In addition, the apprenticeship program offers students who are unable to afford higher education a chance to explore an industry in need of employees by offering fully paid tuition, on-the-job training, and a career with a reputable employer. It's truly a win-win scenario!" Upon successful completion of the student's associates degree from LRCC, the German American Chamber of Commerce will register the apprenticeship program with the U.S. Department of Labor, which provides the nationally recognized Registered Apprenticeship Certification to participants who complete the program at their sponsored employer. At the conclusion of the apprenticeship, apprentices will have an opportunity to complete an exam to earn a GACC dual-education certification based upon the German training standard. GACC is widely recognized for forming partnerships with U.S. companies to help them develop sustainable skills development programs. In fact, their acclaimed model is operating successfully in many states throughout the U.S. Matthew Allen, Director of Careers & Education, German American Chamber of Commerce, added, "Skills training will be essential to the continued leadership of U.S. companies in the manufacturing industry, just like it is in Germany. We commend young adults and employers for taking this important step to support their communities, so they can continue to prosper while supporting NH's economy." With their education completed, the apprentice will carry on with their career training with a manufacturer where they will continue to develop their skills and receive career training in other facets of the organization with the goal of them evolving into an experienced, long-term employee. NH Forward's manufacturing apprenticeship program serves to fill a void in NH's labor market for highly-skilled manufacturing positions by providing opportunities for long-term career training with an employer who is vested in the training of potential employees. According to LRCC, the average annual salary in NH for an entry level position in the manufacturing industry is $31,500, which would be hard to attain without some type of education coupled with formalized training. Magoon continued, "We appreciate the effort NH Forward has devoted to forming a collaboration with the German American Chamber of Commerce and Lakes Region Community College to offer the manufacturing apprenticeship program. We are excited to provide our assistance to such a worthy endeavor for students interested in pursuing a career in this industry." This press release was produced by Franklin Savings Bank . The views expressed here are the author's own.