Building a strong and sustained educational pipeline for our future workforce is a high priority for Hemlock Semiconductor, especially when it comes to the skilled trades. As a major manufacturer, we employ dozens of pipefitters, millwrights, HVAC-R technicians, instrumentation technicians, and electricians. These are critical positions in the HSC workforce, yet they can be difficult jobs to fill due to a shortfall in journey-level skilled trades professionals.
Encouraging young people across the Great Lakes Bay Region to pursue careers in the trades is the goal of a first-of-its-kind collaboration between HSC and the Saginaw Career Complex. Our new Youth Apprenticeship Program will make HSC the first company in the region to offer high school students unique opportunities that combine on-the-job training, professional mentorship and classroom studies that result in a skilled trades certification.
“With the focus on bringing manufacturing back into the U.S., specifically in the semi, solar and automotive supply chains, the demand for competent workers in the skilled trades will continue to grow,” said HSC Maintenance Shops Team Leader Brandon Calvert. “HSC’s Youth Apprenticeship Program will strengthen the skilled trades talent pipeline and offer competitive careers for people in the Great Lakes Bay Region.”
Youth apprentices will be registered within our program through the U.S. Department of Labor and the typical commitment is four years to complete an apprenticeship. Participating students will be direct employees of HSC as a part-time high school student co-op with earnings that could exceed $15/hour up to 24 hours/week.
Future full-time employment opportunities in the trades could lead to annual earnings exceeding $80,000, as well as paid education at Delta College and other employment benefits such as paid vacation, retirement and health insurance. At the end of the apprenticeship program, successful students will earn a journey certificate that will empower them to pursue a lifetime of opportunities in high-wage, high-demand careers in the skilled trades.
We’re excited to welcome our first class in January 2024. Together with SCC we are taking another step in developing the Great Lake Bay Region’s next generation of manufacturing talent.