Partnership to Offer Industrial Maintenance Apprenticeship Program

MERCER, Pa. – The Lawrence Mercer Manufacturers Coalition has partnered with Keystone Community Education Council to offer a two-year, group-sponsored industrial maintenance apprenticeship program.

The first cohort of up to 15 enrollees is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2025, and grant funding is available to cover most, if not all, of the costs for participating manufacturers. 

Classroom training will take place at Mercer County Career Center, and on-the-job instruction will be held at the respective employers.

“Industrial maintenance positions are in high demand in our region among our member manufacturers, so by offering this fully vetted and industry-led apprenticeship curriculum, we’re providing opportunities for manufacturers to fill these positions by upskilling their existing workforce,” said Anna Barensfeld, vice president of strategic initiatives at Ellwood and board president of the Lawrence Mercer Manufacturers Coalition.

The course involves eight, 40-hour weeks of related technical instruction, or one week per quarter, in the classroom, followed by 500 hours of on-the-job training on each of the eight units, for 4,000 total hours. Those who complete the course will be Pennsylvania state registered apprentices in industrial maintenance and are eligible to earn credits toward an associate degree from Commonwealth University.

Keystone Community Education Council developed the curriculum in 2023 in conjunction with manufacturers. Keystone will provide the instructors, who will come from Commonwealth University, and training equipment.

“This apprenticeship program is one of the first of many training and upskilling initiatives LMMC has been developing for our region,” said Chris Becker, president of G.W. Becker Inc. and board vice president of LMMC. “Filling our skilled talent gaps can often come by upskilling top performers in our own workplaces, and bringing this apprenticeship program to our region is one way we are working to address the most pressing workforce needs of our members.”

Penn Northwest Development Corporation, Forward Lawrence and the PA CareerLink offices in the region are also endorsing this program for regional manufacturers.

For more information, contact Shawn DeLong, Keystone Apprenticeship coordinator, at 814 677 4427 or [email protected].

LMMC encourages manufacturers in Lawrence and Mercer counties who are interested in learning about the organization to contact Julie Michael Smith at [email protected], or visit LMMC’s website.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.