Pre-Apprenticeships

GACC Pittsburgh Chapter Pre-Apprenticeships provide young workers with paid internships that accelerate development of tech and industry skills needed to succeed in the real world.

Pre-apprentices earn the nationally recognized MT1 certification from The Manufacturing Institute.

Dual Enrollment: earn 6 college credits & MT1 Certification

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Overview

Dual Enrollment

Through dual enrollment agreements, apprentices gets the On-the-Job training at the company and related instruction in the classroom or online. GACC Pittsburgh Chapter Apprentices receive nationally industry-recognized certificates, like the Manufacturing Technician Level 1 from the MSI Institute. The certification is bound with 6 college credits from Partnering Community Colleges that can later on be transferred into the Apprenticeship Program.

How it Works

GACC Pittsburgh Chapter Pre-apprentices typically are high schoolers who are keen to explore a career aligned with one of GACC Pittsburgh Chapter'sRegistered Apprenticeships. Pre-apprentices receive a paid jobs and through mentor-driven On-The-Job training and rigorous technical coursework delivered in the classroom or online - by both synchronous and asynchronous instruction - build a confidence and comfortability to work with technology generally and specific to an occupation's competency model. Pre-apprentices learn skills that are necessary for success today -- and tomorrow.

Skills & Competencies Developed

Tech literacy and basic tech skills are established by broad courses like intro to programming and intro omputer science, beginner web development and working with specialized applications for design, web marketing, technical sales and customer success, business analytics, basics of Agile methodologies and familiarity with enterprise cybersecurity, Web3, and blockchain.

The Pre-Apprenticeship program is designed to prepare students to enter and succeed in registered Apprenticeship programs. The program gives high school students a paid internship opportunity to get hands-on experience at a company, and receive an industry recognized certificate (e.g. MT1 from the MS Institute). Pre-apprentices can - upon completion - accelerate into one of our four Registered Apprenticeship programs, or enter the workforce with high-demand technical skills.

Melina Vandenberg

Sales Engineer Pre-Apprentice

Stellar Precision Components & KASTO INC

My favorite part of the Pre-Apprenticeship was the people. I have met so many amazing and talented individuals who have taught me so much about the workforce and life in general. At Stellar I was surrounded by so many people and each week I worked with someone new and was able to learn about not only that position, but about them and their path to where they are now. Moreover, I have developed a tremendous amount of soft skills such as communication and collaboration. I have also gained a lot of hard skills and knowledge on the machinery and basic operations of a manufacturing facility.

Zackary Marincheck

Sales Engineer Pre-Apprentice

Stellar Precision Components & KASTO INC

Thanks to the Pre-Apprenticeship Program my people skills and understanding of the world have improved. I interacted with and learned from very different people who I hadn’t really been with before. I would watch and observe the workday of the employees at the companies and help them when I could. It was cool to see the day-to-day operations at the companies. The impact of the program is inevitable as I will be able to apply this experience to future jobs and I feel like I am more prepared for anything that comes my way.

Evan Orienza

Mechatronics Technician Pre-Apprentice

Accutrex

I assisted the person that I am shadowing with whatever he needs help with on the project at hand. A very specific project was helping with automating machining of specific parts. During the program I have learned to plan out designs better and take more in-depth notes on dimensions and measurements. It helped a lot meeting the people in the workplace and being around and starting to understand so much cool equipment. I will become a full apprentice with this company and I will continue my education here in Pittsburgh because of the quality of the program.

Ben Thomas

Sales Engineer Pre-Apprentice

Stellar Precision Components & KASTO INC

Thanks to the program I have become a better test taker, and overall a better problem solver. It was a great experience being able to interact with my classmates in a real-world work environment and going to the actual internship instead of school. The program showed me what a real career could possibly look like, and what I may want to do with my future.

Kathryn Michelle Reynolds

CAD/CAM Technical Designer Pre-Apprentice

Roechling

“I learned a lot of business lingo and learned a lot about the business world. [My favorite part was] touring companies and getting to see how the real world works while getting experience in it.”

Nathan Peton

Sales Engineer Pre-Apprentice

General Carbide

“We are in an 8 week training class learning every skill needed to excel at the company. [This experience] opened my eyes to the many fields available to me and ensured that I want to go down the sales pathway.”

Joseph Costello

Sales Engineer Pre-Apprentice

General Carbide

“Amazing program that is definitely aiding my future”

Christian Hostetler

Sales Engineer Pre-Apprentice

General Carbide

“My knowledge of manufacturing techniques and business acumen have skyrocketed. I can work here part time through college and use this experience on my resume for future opportunities if need be.”

Landon Morrison

Sales Engineer Pre-Apprentice

Roechling

“It truly shaped me into the person I am today. I believe that it gave me amazing insight on what I do and don't want out of a job in my future. It afforded me the opportunity to capitalize on my good classwork by letting me learn in the company during school while still being able to maintain great grades.”

Owen Tutich

Sales Engineer Pre-Apprentice

General Carbide

“Gives me a unique path compared to the traditional student.”

Sam Spigarelli

Sales Engineer Pre-Apprentice

Roechling

“Manufacturing is a huge industry in our region and I believe having the background knowledge that I learned this year will be monumental in my ability to land future jobs and be a productive employee at those companies. I also know I will always have people who want to help me succeed in companies and school settings.”

Richard Christeleit

Sales Engineer Pre-Apprentice

Roechling

“I have learned basic business acumen and business processes. I have improved upon my science and math skills. My favorite part about the program has been being able to gain workplace experience and new skills.”

Ella Petrosky

Sales Engineer Pre-Apprentice

General Carbide

“This has given me the experience I could need for future job opportunities.”

Gavin Ainsworth Pre-Apprentice

CAD/CAM Technical Designer

PVE (Partridge Venture Engineering)

“It confirmed my desire to continue studying in this field.”