IAMAW signs 10 students into Machinist Apprenticeship Program at NWSCC

MUSCLE SHOALS, ALA. — The Northwest Shoals Community College (NWSCC) department of Workforce Solutions partnered with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) District 711, Local 65, to sign 10 machinist apprentices into the second class of the Machinist Apprenticeship Program last night (11/21) on the Shoals campus.

The IAMAW Machinist Apprenticeship Program at NWSCC is a non-credit pathway to a challenging and well-paying career as a machinist for the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and its partner contractors. Program apprentices will begin a four year training program that includes 1,200 hours of classroom training and 6,400 hours of on-the-job training. This is the second class of students to start this apprenticeship.

“It is so exciting to continue our partnership with IAMAW,” said NWSCC President Dr. Glenda Colagross. “The investment they are making into these students will make a tremendous impact toward filling the skills gap in the machining industry.”

Apprentices take classes two nights a week at NWSCC and work for the TVA Power Service Shop during the day.

According to Wendell Dean, administrator of the apprenticeship program, the program has been in the works for several years. “The IAMAW has been working toward an apprenticeship program for machinists for several years, and it is great to see it come to fruition and successful,” said Dean. “The first class was selected in December of last year and we hope this pipeline of machinists through Northwest-Shoals continues for many years to come”.

The 2019 IAMAW Machinist Apprenticeship Program at NWSCC signees were:

Student

Hometown

Timothy Wagnon

Haverhill, MA

Condre Cole

Leighton, AL

Braxton Daniel

Iron City, TN

Kanyon Robertson

Florence, AL

Robert Lambdin

Florence, AL

Tristan Bevis

Killen, AL

Clyde Riddle

Tuscumbia, AL

Samuel Pierce

Spruce Pine, AL

Hunter Thomas

Killen, AL

Jorge Arizmendi

Russellville, AL

About Northwest Shoals Community College:

Northwest Shoals Community College (NWSCC) is part of the Alabama Community College System and home to more than 3,500 students. NWSCC offers over 100 certificate and degree programs and is committed to providing career technical, academic, and lifelong educational opportunities that promote economic growth and enrich the quality of life for the people it serves. For more information about the NWSCC, visit www.nwscc.edu.