Apprenticeship Programs can Help Employer and Employee
Paducah, KY (11/15/2021) — What is the hardest part of getting a job? Many would say the most challenging part of getting a job is convincing the employer that your skills match their needs, and getting your foot in the door.
An apprenticeship can take a lot of the guesswork out of hiring a new employee, said Peter Sierra, apprenticeship coordinator at West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC). "An apprenticeship is a proven job training method that allows someone to hone their technical skills in the workplace," he said.
The Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) is celebrating National Apprenticeship Week today through November 21, 2021. WKCTC is one of 16 community and technical colleges in KCTCS.
As part of its commitment to expanding apprenticeship, KCTCS has trained and deployed an apprenticeship coordinator, like Sierra, at each of our colleges. These coordinators partner with employers to offer a comprehensive approach for recruiting and training talent utilizing the apprenticeship model. Apprenticeship is inclusive of all industry sectors!
To date, 27 employers and 46 apprentices are participating in Kentucky. KCTCS serves as a registered apprenticeship sponsor for Kentucky employers and provider of related classroom instruction for apprentices.
"We are consistently looking for opportunities to develop apprenticeships that can provide workforce solutions for employers while also allowing students to receive college credentials," Sierra said. "There are many ways WKCTC's Workforce Solutions can help employers attract employees to their businesses or industries. Developing apprenticeship programs is just one way to help employers find and retain career-minded employees."
Employers are encouraged to meet WKCTC's apprenticeship coordinator Peter Sierra. "I'm happy to connect with employers in our region," he said. "I think they will be pleasantly surprised how an apprenticeship can help them as well as the students."
For more information, contact Sierra at 270-534-3366 or via email at peter.sierra@kctcs.edu.