Sinclair Community College Recognizes and Celebrates Students Completing Ohio Registered Apprenticeships and Helping to Build the Workforce

Sinclair Community College recognized and celebrated 21 students who completed their Ohio Registered Apprenticeships during a special ceremony held on Wednesday, July 20, 2022, at the Dayton campus. The event also recognized ApprenticeOhio and multiple Dayton region employers who have partnered with Sinclair to provide on-the-job training through apprenticeships. DMAX, CRANE 1, and Waibel Energy Systems were among the first employers to partner with Sinclair.

Following the creation of Sinclair’s Office of Work-Based Learning, the Apprenticeship Program officially launched in the 2018 Spring Semester with one employer, two programs, and 12 apprentices. Currently, Sinclair’s program includes 25 employers, 12 programs approved by ApprenticeOhio, and over 65 apprentices.

“This is a moment of celebration for Sinclair Community College, the region, and the state as we work together to provide vital training students need to succeed on the job and build a highly skilled workforce for employers,” said Dr. Steve Johnson, President – Sinclair Community College.

Apprenticeships are a “learn-while-you-earn” model that combines on-the-job training, provided by the employer that hires the apprentice, with job-related instruction provided by Sinclair. The model also involves progressive increases in an apprentice’s skills and wages. Sinclair is one of only 10 Ohio Community Colleges to be awarded a U.S. Department of Labor grant (via ApprenticeOhio), affording the opportunity to offer an apprenticeship program managed by a community college. 

“Congratulations to all these students for completing their Ohio Registered Apprenticeships,” said Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Director Matt Damschroder. “Through this program, they now have a nationally recognized credential and the education and training they need to advance in long-term, good-paying careers.”

Zack Beatty completed his HVAC Apprenticeship with Waibel Energy Systems in Vandalia. “Sinclair provided a whole network of individuals that assisted with the hands on and technical training, while also providing the support structure to make the class scheduling, paperwork, and other requirements very easy to follow and organize. Hands on learning is the pathway to become more familiar and comfortable in any problem-solving situation, by learning the sights, feel and even sounds that are related to the task at hand, you will become more adept at handling any situation. The program offered at Sinclair allowed access to the knowledge of professionals with varying skillsets and gives you exposure to proper and efficient methodology to be successful in the HVAC field while also exposing you to the various branches that tie together the many opportunities in the HVAC. Completing my apprenticeship was by far the greatest accomplishment. The knowledge and hands on skills attained through the course are such a valuable tool for my career, but just being able to obtain this is the culmination of a lot of hard work and dedication.”

After graduating from Miami Valley Career Technology Center (MVCTC), Evan Smith completed his apprenticeship through working with LeROI Natural Gas Compressors in Sidney and McGregor Metal in Springfield. He is currently a Private First Class in the 11C Indirect Fire Infantry at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. 

“When you are paired up with the right people who are willing and eager to teach, you can receive years of experience in a very short amount of time that will put you light years ahead of your peers. That, paired with a college education, is a formula for success and growth. The apprenticeship that I was a part of helped me reach my career goals by giving me knowledge and hands-on experience that I can take with me to every shop that I work at and make me valuable to those companies. While enrolled in the apprenticeship, I was learning something new every single day and that’s honestly one of my career goals, to never stop learning and stay busy.”

Sinclair currently offers the following apprenticeship programs approved by ApprenticeOhio:

• Maintenance Electrician 
• Maintenance Mechanic 
• Toolmaker 
• Quality Technician 
• HVAC Install/Service 
• Machinist 
• Cyber Security Support Technician 
• Construction 
• STNA+ Home Health Aide 
• STNA+ Patient Care Technician 
• Activity Programming 
• Childcare Development Specialist 

To learn more about registered apprenticeships and Sinclair’s Office of Work-Based Learning, visit Sinclair.edu/work-based-learning.