With hundreds of companies looking to fill positions in Northeast Florida, some are now turning to apprenticeship programs to “grow their own” skilled workforce.
CareerSource Northeast Florida (CareerSource NEFL) is working with the Florida Department of Education and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity through ‘Apprentice Florida’ — an initiative to increase awareness among employers about the benefits of apprenticeships while providing businesses the support they need to implement apprenticeship programs.
Locally, Snyder Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electric worked with the public agencies to launch its own apprentice program in January.
“Like many other companies, we’re trying to find a great way to attract great people into the trades because the demand is there,” said Snyder President Brad Kelly. “We believe strongly that apprenticeships can provide people with a great career path. It’s going to be transformative for the apprentices, for our customers who will continue to get service from a great technician… and obviously great for our company, allowing us to grow and serve more people.”
Snyder started with a group of six apprentices. Kelly says the company plans to introduce new groups of apprentices multiple times this year.
“This is another way employers can encourage and support new talent coming into their companies, while at the same time offering a ‘earn-as-you-learn’ opportunity for job seekers,” said CareerSource Northeast Florida Apprenticeship Navigator Doreen Lund.
CareerSource NEFL has been involved with a successful Electrical Apprenticeship Program developed in partnership with the Electrical Training Alliance of Jacksonville since 2005 – with CareerSource NEFL reimbursing companies for the training necessary for participants to complete the program. There are typically over 300 apprentices in the program at any given time.
Thousands of people in Northeast Florida are already enjoying a variety of careers in the electrical service industry thanks to the program – a customized training program developed in partnership with the Electrical Training Alliance of Jacksonville (ETAJ).
There are usually about 150 apprentices in the program at any given time. CareerSource NEFL reimburses companies for the training necessary for participants to complete an apprentice program for up to five years – providing training dollars directly to electrical companies like Miller Electric Company, Cogburn Brothers and Mardant Electrical Construction Company.
Lund joined CareerSource NEFL late last year to replicate that success with new employers like Snyder – and spread the word about the benefits of apprenticeships.
“Apprenticeships have been around a long time, and through this initiative we’re introducing the concept while educating both employers and job seekers that this is a method of employment that’s beneficial for both,” she said. “Employers achieve a positive return on investment by increasing employee retention, with improvements in production capability and quality assurance because their people are well-trained, and the program can help them achieve their diversity goals.”
For job seekers, Lund says the big payoff is learning a skill while avoiding the debt involved in attaining a two- or four-year degree.
“If job seekers want a new career path, one option is to attend college and possibly incur debt, or they can complete an apprenticeship and learn on-the-job while getting paid.” she said.
Kelly agrees, noting that “there’s a false narrative out there” that people need a college degree to have a great career.
“The trades offer awesome careers,” he said. “At Snyder, we pay our people very well and they can make great money while they provide a necessary service and help people…and they have a purpose by being part of a great team.”
Kelly says his company has a blended pay structure, based on an hourly rate plus performance, where technicians can make from $60,000 to more than $100,000 a year depending on their annual performance.
Lund says that in addition to trade jobs, apprenticeship programs can be replicated in a variety of businesses. She has hosted several workshops with both employers and job seekers to share the benefits – and how CareerSource NEFL can support them in getting started.
At Snyder, Kelly also notes that their apprentices represent a broad range of ages, from their twenties to their forties.
“Apprenticeships aren’t just for young people getting out of school,” he said. “A lot of people may go into a job and find out that they really want to be working outside with their hands every day. Our group represents a lot of different backgrounds. If they already have great customer experience, we teach them the technical part. We’re just grateful for the public private sector partnership that has allowed us to do it.”