Job opportunities apprentices can pursue include computer numerical control operator, manual machinist, shop technician and CAD drafter.
While the apprenticeship program is offered at no cost, there is a $3,750 fee, plus the purchase of supplies, to take part in the boot camp. Scholarships are available and payment is broken up over a period of time instead of being due as one lump sum.
CCM’s Center for Workforce Development, which is overseeing the program, will be holding a series of virtual open houses where individuals can learn more about the boot camp and apprenticeship program. The open houses take place:
- Wednesday, January 27, at noon
- Wednesday, February 10, at 2 p.m.
- Wednesday, February 24, at 5 p.m.
- Wednesday, March 10, at 9 a.m.
- Wednesday, March 24, at noon
- Wednesday, April 7, at 2 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 21, at 5 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 5, at 9 a.m.
CCM was awarded a four-year $4 million CareerAdvance USA grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to lead a consortium of New Jersey community colleges to create successful apprenticeship models in advanced manufacturing. The participating schools are Bergen Community College, Camden County College, Hudson County College, Mercer County Community College, Middlesex County College, Raritan Valley Community College and Rowan College of South Jersey. Together, they are working with national industry partners including Carl Stahl Sava Industries, Marotta, North American Plywood Corporation, Norwalt Design, Thorlabs, The Weiss-Aug Group, and other leading firms in New Jersey.
Serving as a major resource for the program is the 31,500-square-foot Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Center on the CCM campus that opened this fall. That center, featuring state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, was designed to meet the demand for trained employees.
It is estimated that over the next decade advanced manufacturing will need to fill 3.4 million jobs with the majority of those positions being related to the pending retirement of baby boomers. Along with good job prospects, the field pays well with an average starting salary of $45,000 to $65,000 plus benefits after completing an apprenticeship.
The CCM apprenticeship program is approved by New Jersey Department of Labor and is listed on the New Jersey Training Opportunities website. Additional information also can be found on the CCM website at www.ccm.edu/apprenticeships/ or by emailing careerusa@ccm.edu.