Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN — Four area career and technical centers are looking to place students in welding and machining programs into pre-apprenticeships with local manufacturers.

Each student has completed his or her junior academic year and has a year’s worth of relevant school and lab experience. A grant from the U.S. Department of Labor is available to pay for 50 percent of the student’s wages for those who qualify.

The apprenticeships can start anytime in the summer and run for eight to 10 weeks, according to the Greater Oh-Penn Manufacturing Apprenticeship Network, which sponsors the program.

Education partners are the Columbiana County Career and Technical Center, Choffin Career and Technical Center, Mahoning County Career and Technical Center and Mercer County Career Center in Pennsylvania.

“This program is an opportunity for local manufacturers to build the pipeline for a skilled workforce and answer, at least in part, the need for an influx of machinists and welding talent right here in our region,” said Vicki Thompson, project manager. “Participating in a pre-apprenticeship benefits both the student and the manufacturer.”

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