GE Power is partnering with Greenville Technical College to develop skilled maintenance technicians through two new gas turbine apprenticeship programs. GE Power is accepting applications for these apprenticeship positions through August 30, 2016.
The five-year Greenville Gas Turbine Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship program would give apprentices entering the field more than 7,000 hours of on-the-job training and fulfill the educational requirements for an Associate of Applied Science in General Technology with a focus in mechatronics and electronics.
The two-year “bridge” apprenticeship program would also allow completers to fulfill the requirements for the same degree as the five-year apprenticeship but is targeted to individuals with previous work experience in industrial machine tool maintenance. Those in the bridge program would receive up to 2,000 hours of on-the-job training and could be eligible for part-time employee benefits.
These new programs join an existing GE Power gas turbine apprenticeship that develops skilled machinists through the college’s Experiential Learning Department.
Apprentices are paid for academic and on-the-job training. In addition, GE covers the cost of tuition, books and other fees while enrolled in the apprentice program unless other financial aid resources are applied.
“GE Power has a long history of manufacturing gas turbines in Greenville, S.C. For almost 50 years, the site has benefited from the availability of a highly skilled workforce to support our operations”, said Poonamdeep Kahlon, a human resources representative from GE Power.
“As we look to the future, GE and other manufacturers project a shortage of skilled workers to fill critical manufacturing positions. To help grow the future pipeline of skilled workers, we are excited to announce the launch of two new Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship programs – similar to the already established Machinist Apprentice program,” she said.
GE Power apprenticeships are open to individuals who are at least 18 years of age, are high school graduates and are able to successfully complete a pre-employment background check and drug screen as well as employment evaluations, interviews and testing. During the program, apprentices must meet all GTC academic requirements and maintain a 3.0 grade point average.