VEGA Americas, Inc. and Sinclair Community College Celebrate Building a Skilled Workforce Through Apprenticeships

In honor of Workforce Development Month, VEGA Americas, Inc., a leading manufacturer of level, switching, and pressure instrumentation, and Sinclair Community College are celebrating 10 apprentices in the Industrial Maintenance Technician (IMT) program. 

In August, five apprentices completed the IMT coursework through Sinclair’s Mason campus, while five new apprentices were welcomed into the program. The IMT apprenticeship is a collaborative effort that provides hands-on training at VEGA with Sinclair classroom instruction to develop a skilled workforce for the manufacturing industry. Sinclair’s IMT short-term certificate program provides students with knowledge and skills required for installing, maintaining and troubleshooting modern industrial machinery. 

“I am so proud of myself and my fellow apprentices. Each of us gave so much time and energy to get to this point. I want to thank VEGA and Sinclair for giving so much back to us in the form of knowledge, confidence, drive, and the values that make this an incredible place to work,” said Derek Ross, VEGA apprentice. 

“This apprenticeship was a great opportunity to not only grow my skills, but to build friendships and reinforce the importance of teamwork and resilience,” added Charles Vogel, VEGA apprentice.

2023-2024 VEGA/Sinclair Apprentices
Kyler Rowe, Lockland, OH
Derek Ross, Loveland, OH
Kevin Bolte, Burlington, KY
Andrew Brown, Cincinnati, OH
Charles Vogel, Cincinnati, OH
Ron Fultz, Manufacturing Manager – VEGA

The VEGA apprentices completed 10 courses to earn Sinclair’s IMT short-term certificate. Two of the apprentices maintained 4.0 grade point averages (GPA). Overall, the five apprentices had an average 3.6 GPA.

The incoming 2024-2025 apprentices are:
Shelby Martin – Amelia, OH
Samuel Parrett – Morrow, OH
Steven Probst – Batavia, OH
Makayla Rowe – Amelia, OH
Simara Sayre – Cincinnati, OH

Apprenticeships offer a unique opportunity for individuals to gain valuable work experience and earn a competitive wage while pursuing education. Sinclair’s Apprenticeship Program, launched in 2018, has grown to include 10 programs in various fields, with a total of 116 active apprentices at 21 regional companies.

The partnership between VEGA and Sinclair is a prime example of how industry and education can collaborate to address workforce needs. By investing in apprenticeships, both organizations are committed to building a strong talent pipeline for the region.

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About VEGA:
For more than 60 years, VEGA has provided industry-leading products for the measurement of level and pressure in the process and automation industries, including energy, petrochemical, chemical, oil and gas, pulp and paper, pharmaceutical, mining, plastics, food and beverage, bulk solids, and water and wastewater. VEGA is a worldwide organization with a presence in more than 80 countries. VEGA Americas designs, manufactures, and sells these products throughout North, Central, and South America and is a wholly owned subsidiary of VEGA Grieshaber KG, headquartered in Schiltach, Germany. VEGA employs more than 2,000 people around the world, 380 of which are employed with VEGA Americas. https://www.VEGA.com/en/home_us

About Sinclair Community College
Sinclair Community College offers more than 300 degree and certificate programs, including four bachelor’s degrees, in specialized and technical areas of study that are in high demand in the southwest Ohio region. Sinclair is recognized as a local and national leader in delivering high-quality and affordable higher education. In 2023, Sinclair Community College was named the top college in the country for sustained and persistent student success when it received the esteemed Leah Meyer Austin Award from Achieving the Dream. One of the oldest and best-known community colleges in the nation, Sinclair was founded in 1887 and is a board member of the prestigious League for Innovation in the Community College. Learn more at Sinclair.edu.

About Sinclair in Mason
The Sinclair in Mason location continues Sinclair Community College's mission of providing accessible, affordable, flexible education—meeting the needs of the community. Conveniently located off I-71 in Warren County, Sinclair in Mason offers a small-campus feel with big-campus resources. With over 25 degree and certificate programs, plus more than 80 fully online programs, Sinclair in Mason ensures students gain the vital skills they need for living wage careers or they’re prepared to seamlessly transfer to a four-year university. As one of the fastest-growing regions in Ohio, Warren County’s need for higher education is rising, and Sinclair is at the forefront, partnering with the community to meet these demands in advanced manufacturing, healthcare, IT, and more. Learn more at Sinclair.edu/Mason.