Post Consumer Brands™ continues to invest in our manufacturing apprenticeship programs to support career advancement opportunities for team members interested in skilled trades across the network.
It can be challenging to find the right talent during the hiring process, especially in today’s job market. Retaining top talent can be even trickier. The development of apprenticeship programs at Post® has helped us to attract new talent while also developing current team members. It’s a win-win situation when we’re able to train existing team members and move them into a role of greater need and enhance their skill set.
Several of our plants across North America have developed their own apprenticeship programs, each one unique based on the needs of that team.
Asheboro, North Carolina, Partnership with Apprenticeship Randolph
Our Asheboro, North Carolina, plant began a partnership with Apprenticeship Randolph in 2018. The program is a three-year commitment, and the Asheboro team currently has four team members at various stages in the program, with two recent graduates starting full time in August. The collaboration includes the Randolph County School System, Randolph Community College (RCC), Asheboro City Schools, the Asheboro/Randolph Chamber of Commerce and local manufacturers.
From left to right: Christian Foley and Ubaldo Gutierrez are the most recent graduates who will be starting with the Asheboro plant full time in August.
“This program is the result of wanting to build a strong roster of team members to pull from as we prepare for turnover due to retirements in the years ahead,” said Terence Franklin, maintenance reliability manager at the Asheboro Plant. “We want to be proactive in getting people trained and grow from within.”
The goal of this program is to bridge both the interest and skill gaps in modern manufacturing and to expand the workforce pool for advanced manufacturing in the county.
The program, which is open to high school juniors and seniors, begins with a six-week, pre-apprenticeship summer program that consists of RCC classes and 40 hours per week of on-the-job training. Those selected through Post must be at least 18 years of age. Following the completion of the full three-year program, the Asheboro team intends to hire the participants full time.
“This has really been a positive partnership, and we’re fortunate that our state recognizes the need for skilled workers in North Carolina and are continuing to look at ways to expand the financial support in these areas,” said Terence.
Learn more about our Asheboro facility.
Battle Creek, Michigan, Pipefitter Apprenticeships
In September 2023, our Battle Creek, Michigan, plant celebrated three pipefitter apprentices who successfully completed the program. Those graduates are now Class A pipefitters supporting one of the largest plants in the network. We are thrilled that the apprenticeship program will continue and has been approved by the Department of Labor. This new program includes the trades of pipefitters, electricians, mechanics and sheet metal workers. “We opened the application period in early June, and the response from employees has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Kathleen Sutton, human resources manager in Battle Creek.
“The success of the program wouldn’t be possible without the commitment of our skilled journeymen to share their knowledge and expertise, encourage new learners and mentor them through the program.” Applications for the electrician apprenticeship program will open later this summer.
Learn more about our Battle Creek facility.
Niagara Falls, Canada, Skilled Trades Apprenticeship Program for Millwrights and Electricians
Our Niagara Falls plant has partnered with local colleges to establish a three-year Skilled Trades Apprenticeship program for both millwrights and electricians.
The Niagara Falls team looks forward to developing employees’ skills and investing in the future of the maintenance department. The program entails three sessions of classroom learning and on-the-job training, including culminating in a final licensing exam. Current employees who have an interest in mechanical or electrical training are encouraged to apply for the program.
Participants work closely with ticketed journeypersons to hone their skills. “Apprenticeships are a good way to pass down the knowledge and skill from experienced journeypersons. Through the program, we can train people on plant specific equipment,” said James Cosco, maintenance supervisor at Niagara Falls.
To date, nine apprentices have completed the program, most recently with two millwrights and one electrician in 2023. There are three apprentices set to begin the program in September 2024, two licensed millwrights and one Fourth Class stationary engineer.
Niagara Falls 2023 Skilled Trades Apprenticeship Program Graduates Jamie Payson (Millwright) and Tim Recchia (Millwright).
“It’s been an extremely positive partnership with the local college, with everyone benefiting from the program,” said Phil Lustri, human resources manager at Niagara Falls.
Learn more about our Niagara Falls facility.
Northfield, Minnesota, Minnesota Dual-Training Pipeline Partnership
Our Campbell Mill Plant in Northfield, Minnesota, has had apprenticeship programs since 2019 through a partnership with the Minnesota Dual-Training Pipeline program, which provides grant funding. If awarded, our Northfield team then works to interview and select current employees to be a part of the program. They receive on-the-job and instructor-led training.
“We’ve had five mechatronic technician apprentices who have completed the two-year program, with four apprentices currently going through the program,” said Matt Geiger, maintenance manager in Northfield. They continually have a first-year apprenticeship and a second-year apprenticeship.
2024 Northfield Apprenticeship Graduate, Gage Schultz-Phalin.
Initially focused on maintenance, the program has evolved to also include apprentice roles for operations supervisors, manufacturing engineer, and food science technicians. As we head into 2025, seven apprentices will fill the mechatronics tech, operations supervisor and food science tech roles.
Learn more about our Northfield facility.
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