SUNY Canton Gears Up for Automotive Industry Apprenticeships

SUNY Canton’s Center for Workforce, Community, and Industry Partnerships (WCIP) is working with the area’s automotive industry for its next series of on-the-job training opportunities.

“Apprenticeship programs can help employers develop the next generation of experienced mechanics and technicians,” said Chris White, SUNY vice chancellor of workforce development and upward mobility. “These programs can also help individuals develop or renew an interest in the field without initially enrolling in a traditional college curriculum.”

SUNY has been dedicating funds to support both the industry provider and the apprenticeship students to emphasize the importance of the related instruction pathway to institutions of higher education.

White was one of 17 industry professionals, experts and educators who attended SUNY Canton’s recent automotive industry roundtable. The Vice Chancellor was joined by representatives from Blevins Motors, Star Route Auto, Bill Rapp Chevrolet, and Riverside Auto, among others.

“A dealership or independent business could sponsor a student to take classes while they are a mechanic at their shop,” said Associate Professor Brandon Baldwin, who teaches Automotive Technology at the college. “Those students would earn college credit for those classes. Some of the sponsorships will help pay for tools or textbooks as part of the program.”

Baldwin suggested that such a program would be beneficial to students of all ages-from traditional high school graduates to individuals looking to change careers. He said that the program already offers advanced training in electric vehicles and hybrids to prepare mechanics for the future of the industry. “Apprenticeships and retraining are an excellent way for employees to develop an understanding of the complex circuits included in modern cars,” Baldwin said.

Another discussion at the roundtable included contributions by SUNY Apprenticeship Business Developer Angelina Blank, who mentioned funding dedicated to apprenticeships and how pre-apprenticeship funds could help credential and better prepare the future workforce in New York State.

“Discovering the needs of industry and ways to engage a younger generation of future automotive technicians is the main reason we offer roundtable discussions” said Liz Brown, Director of the Center for Workforce, Community & Industry Partnerships.  “Building partnerships with our local employers helps the college offer cutting edge programming, purchase equipment aligned with industry standards and develop trainings to engage the future workforce.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the career outlook for automotive mechanics is expected to have an average of 67,800 openings each year through 2033. The fast-changing auto industry needs more skilled workers. Training, retraining, and hiring talented technicians can be challenging for employers.

Automotive Apprenticeships are the most recent in a series of career-focused opportunities developed by the SUNY Canton WCIP. The office previously held a pre-apprenticeship training session, allowing students to earn industry credentials necessary for advanced manufacturing careers.