First Students Enroll in SRC and OTC's Partnered Registered Apprenticeship Program

On Friday, May 18, 2018, four area students signed agreements as the first members of SRC and Ozarks Technical Community College's (OTC) registered apprenticeship program. The enrolled students will study industrial engineering technology at the OTC Career Center in the half-day program while completing their high school degrees in their hometowns. Students will also be training with individual mentors at Springfield Remanufacturing Corp. and SRC Automotive as industrial manufacturing technicians. 

The manufacturing industry's aging workforce and all-time high need for talent gave rise to the establishment of the program. OTC and SRC partnered with the U.S. Department of Labor and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop the registered apprenticeship to allow students to have a jump start on their careers as teenagers. 

The four students enrolled in the apprenticeship program this year are Dakota Eckerson, Republic High School, Dustin Barton and Lane Owens of Fordland High School and Keaton Owens, Seymour High School. In addition to these schools, the apprenticeship program is also available to students enrolled in the following districts: Ash Grove, Bolivar, Clever, Everton, Fair Grove, Logan-Rogersville, Marion C Early, Nixa, Pleasant Hope, Sparta, Springfield, Strafford, Walnut Grove and Willard.

The students are on track to graduate from high school with 40 hours of college credit with the opportunity to continue their education after the program. Upon completion of the program, students will be eligible for employment at SRC, where a wealth of development opportunities are available. SRC associates are encouraged to further their careers through regular training, leadership and advancement opportunities and SRC's Tuition Reimbursement Program.

“This is a transformative opportunity for these four young men who have shown an interest and aptitude for what we do,” said Scot Scobee, SRC director of human resources. “We’re excited to bring on some new talent who will benefit from the experience of our long-term workers.”

For more information about a registered apprenticeship at SRC, download the General Flyer and Parent-Student Guide or read OTC's article.