(Grand Island, Neb.) – Thirteen Central Community College-Grand Island students and eight companies are participating in the college’s registered apprenticeship program (RAP).
The first companies –CNH Welding in Grand Island and A & E Electrical in Hastings – registered for the CCC program in April 2021. This allowed the college to join the state’s registered apprenticeship system and launch its first pilot in August 2021 with four apprentices, two working at each company.
Since then, the program has grown to include Valmont in Columbus; Chief Building, Chief Drafting, Chief Fabrication and Standard Iron in Grand Island; and Lindsay Corporation in Lindsay.
To qualify for RAP, students must pass a drug test, have at least a 2.0 GPA and make a commitment to the company of one to four years, depending on the occupation.
In return, the company agrees to provide a mentor and pay for the apprentice’s education. Each week, the apprentice works 25 hours and attends school seven hours for a 32-hour paycheck with benefits.
“Apprenticeships are a learn-and-earn program that helps employers retain and sustain their workforce,” said CCC apprenticeship director Catrina Gray. Individuals interested in more information about RAP may contact her at 308-338-4014 or catrinagray@cccneb.edu.
The CCC apprentices are:
ALDA: John Orozco and Tyler Zeman, welding technology.
DANNEBROG: Elisha Carlson, welding technology.
GRAND ISLAND: Francisco Garcia and Anai Torres, drafting and design technology, and Devin Fischer, Brian Gonzales, Justin Heston, Eric Orozco, Francisco Pano, Jaymes Quick, welding technology.
KEARNEY: Hunter Cox, welding technology.
LEXINGTON: Lisandro Baten Madrid, electrical technology.
