Public Relations

NWACC apprenticeship graduation Friday at Shewmaker Center; 31 electrical and plumbing apprentices to be honored

BENTONVILLE (Wednesday, May 14, 2008) – NWACC’s Corporate Learning Apprenticeship graduation ceremony is 6 p.m. Friday, May 16, in the Shewmaker Center Wal-Mart Auditorium.

This certificate ceremony celebrates the accomplishments of 31 electrical and plumbing apprentices who have completed a four-year program.

NWACC will graduate 25 electrical and 6 plumbing apprentices.

Featured speaker Steve Wilson helped start the apprenticeship programs at NWACC Corporate Learning five years ago.

“Steve was not only my instructor, but my mentor,” Rick Mayes, NWACC Skilled Trades coordinator, said. “I feel fortunate to be able to continue the success he started here and maintain it.”

Wilson was the coordinator when some of the graduates started four years ago.

Special guest speaker is Jack Shewmaker.

“It’s an honor for me that Mr. Shewmaker is going to take time from his busy schedule to speak with these graduates,” Mayes said. “He always makes a point to visit when he is at the Shewmaker Center and always asks about the apprentices.”

Mayes said Mr. Shewmaker has even stopped by classes in the evening to speak with the apprentices, asking if their needs are being met.

“He genuinely appreciates and cares about what this program means to the community, and is willing to show his support,” Mayes said.

The apprenticeship program is state mandated requiring those wishing to be licensed in the fields of electrical or plumbing. Apprentices are required to attend an approved school while working full-time, learning the hands-on under a master in their related trade.

Apprentices attend a 4-hour class one night a week July to May for four years.

The electrical apprentices take 148 hours of classroom study per year, plumbing apprentices 160. They study “codes” and requirements of the trade.

They also receive training in ethics, safety and problem solving. Apprentices complete 8,000 hours on the job training.

Once the apprentices have met requirements, they are eligible to take the state journeyman’s exam, administered by the State of Arkansas. Apprentices must make a 70 to obtain a license.

Mayes, the former graduate of the electrical apprenticeship program, taught as an adjunct instructor and is now coordinator for the trades programs at Corporate Learning.

“I understand what an accomplishment this is for these graduates,” Mayes said. “The requirements the state has put in place for apprentices to go to school and learn the codes result in a safer community and workplace when these tradesmen are working in the field.

“By obtaining their journeymen’s license, they make themselves more marketable for employment in a competitive profession.”

Mayes said he is pleased that, despite slowdowns in construction, the two programs’ enrollment numbers are holding steady.

“We had more than 170 electrical and 75 plumbing apprentices attending this year,” he said. “We have great partnerships with contractors who want the best for their employees, so they send them to our program”.

Out of the four-year classes, NWACC will graduate 25 electrical and 6 plumbing graduates.

“We not only want to honor the graduates, but their family and friends as well,” Mayes said. “Apprentices need a good support system in place to encourage them along this long journey.

“Often times it may be help with child care or other things they might be doing if they were not in school.”

By attending classes, he said, apprentices put responsibilities on their family and friends to help because they are not able to be at home.

“I am fortunate to be a small part of their development in this process,” he said. “I appreciate the support that (College President) Dr. Becky Paneitz and (Vice President for Workforce Development) Dr. Derek Crews have given me to do what is necessary to make our programs a success,” Mayes said.

He said adjunct instructors should also be commended for their dedication to the program and teaching apprentices the required curriculum.

“They make a commitment by being here four nights a week prepared to teach and lead,” Mayes said. “Their families should also be congratulated for their support.”

This year’s graduation features other speakers who want to congratulate apprentices for their accomplishments.

For more information about the ceremony or program, contact Rick Mayes, NWACC Skilled Trades Coordinator, at 479-936-5162 or email at rmayes@nwacc.edu.

For questions/comments on this content, please contact Rick Mayes.

This page was last updated on:  December 21, 2009 @ 8:51 am