Earlier this year, Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS) students took part in the SkillsUSA State Conference. More than 100 students from the state’s 17 technical high schools completed on-the-job challenges in several categories for a chance to move on to the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.
One of the programs lauded by CTECS is a youth apprenticeship managed by Sikorsky. The Lockheed Martin company has partnered with the Teamsters Local 1150 in the Career Pathways Union Mentoring Program for almost two decades, exposing students to hands-on learning, manufacturing skills, and jobs.
Through the program, juniors and seniors from eight local high schools, including four Connecticut technical high schools, have the opportunity to get first-hand experience on the floor of the world’s leading manufacturer of rotary-winged aircraft.
In 2019, former Lockheed Martin CEO Marillyn Hewson pledged to create 8,000 new apprenticeship opportunities and invest $5 million in vocational and trade programs by 2023.
“Lockheed Martin’s pledge demonstrates our commitment to enacting workforce solutions that keep pace with technological innovation, preparing workers for the challenges of the 21st Century and helping to secure American prosperity and national security,” Hewson said.
The Career Pathways Program began in 2002 and has since trained 300 students across multiple trade disciplines. Students receive critical trade skills working on major products, like the Black Hawk helicopter and CH-53K King Stallion helicopter.
Students who wish to become part of this premier program must endure a competitive application and selection process. To be considered, interested juniors and seniors must have an exceptional academic record, extracurricular activities, and volunteering experience.
Once accepted, students commit to the program for 8 weeks each summer as Local 1150 members and work hand-in-hand with highly experienced union mentors. During this time, they are compensated with full-time union wages.
Three years ago, the Career Pathways Program became a certified Aircraft Manufacturing pre-apprenticeship program. Students who complete the program typically have about 600 hours of experience. With the pre-apprenticeship status, students can now apply those hours as apprenticeship credits at any company in the aerospace industry with an apprenticeship program.
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