Michelin, GCS Hold First ‘Signing Day’ for High School Youth Apprentices
Michelin North America President Scott Clark and GCS Superintendent Dr. Burke Royster today announced the launch of the Michelin Youth Apprenticeship Program with a signing event for five high school students from Golden Strip Career Center.
Jonathan Harper, Aidan O’Boyle, Janias Tinch, Jacob Tucker, and Iquavious Lewis signed contracts to work with Michelin as part of their new Youth Apprenticeship Program. The students were presented with a Michelin team hat and T-shirt as they announced their intent to pursue careers in the manufacturing industry. In preparation for their apprenticeships, the students are receiving training in Mechatronics at Golden Strip Career Center.
“This is a tremendous moment for us,” said Superintendent Dr. Burke Royster. “This partnership represents the single largest commitment of an employer and the greatest potential for additional apprenticeships for students at the high school level. Michelin has been a great partner in helping us fulfill our mission of creating college and career ready students. This partnership helps us sustain the quality of life we have and most importantly it helps us improve that quality of life.”
Michelin North America Chairman and President Scott Clark told the audience of parents, school board members, and administrators, “Today marks a milestone in our shared mission with GCS in investing in technical education in the state of South Carolina. We believe that more parents and more students should be aware of the long term value and growth opportunities for a career in manufacturing. It is our vision to roll this program out across the state in all the communities where Michelin has manufacturing facilities. With the Youth Apprenticeship Program and the relationship we have with Greenville County Schools, Greenville Technical College, and other technical schools, Michelin is taking a huge step forward in workforce development in the state of South Carolina.”
Brooks Smith, Executive Director, Career and Technology Education, added, “The average starting wage for someone who completes the apprenticeship is $50,000 to $60,000 a year. There’s a 91 percent placement rate for those who complete the apprenticeship. We want to promote these opportunities in our high schools so student and their families are aware of what’s available to them.”
Wilton Crawford, Plant Manager, Michelin US1, thanked Dr. Royster for the opportunity for the students to join Michelin’s work force. “For the parents, be assured that we will make sure each of these five young men learn what is necessary for safety for themselves and their team members.”
Michelin representatives noted that their workforce is aging out and the demand is high for skilled talent to fill these positions.
