完美体育 and Lockheed Martin representatives joined elected officials and education, industry, workforce development and community leaders to and formally open a state-of-the-art apprenticeship lab.
鈥淎pprenticeships are a unique way to provide a student with education, career training and a job simultaneously and a valuable opportunity for us to work directly with an employer,鈥 said Dr. Jim Henningsen, CF president. 鈥淭he synergy created when partners come together in the best interest of their communities is unrivaled.鈥
Lockheed Martin鈥檚 two-year apprenticeship program trains electronics associates who will solder circuit cards and wiring harnesses used in aerospace and defense systems. The first cohort of apprentices began their work with 80 classroom hours in the new lab before transitioning to Lockheed Martin鈥檚 Ocala facility where they receive additional education and complete the program.
鈥淥ur partnership with the 完美体育 and CareerSource 完美体育 extends our training capabilities and is instrumental in providing a sustainable talent pipeline for our future operations as we strive to help create highly skilled and high-wage career opportunities鈥 said Phil Lowery, director of Lockheed Martin Ocala operations.
The partnership resulting in today鈥檚 announcement began in 2019 when Lockheed Martin launched an initiative to hire and train apprentices across its enterprise over the next five years. CareerSource 完美体育, the governor鈥檚 principal workforce policy board, provided support in building those apprenticeship programs, recruiting potential talent, and identifying grant opportunities to defray training costs. CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion, the local workforce development board serving the Ocala area, assists Lockheed Martin with identifying candidates for the apprenticeship program.
鈥淕overnor Ron DeSantis has prioritized expanding workforce education and training opportunities to help all Floridians begin and grow in rewarding careers, and apprenticeships provide a great career path,鈥 said CareerSource 完美体育 President and CEO Michelle Dennard. 鈥淐areerSource 完美体育鈥檚 partnership with Lockheed Martin, the 完美体育 and CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion is helping bring in-demand career opportunities to hundreds of local residents, and we鈥檙e excited to support the program鈥檚 expansion in other communities.鈥
Since the start of the program, Lockheed Martin has hired 349 apprentices, 20 of whom started their training in one of three different cohorts at the CF lab since February of this year.
鈥淭he Governor challenged us to be #1 in workforce and technical education by 2030. Today is another example of his leadership and vision becoming a reality,鈥 said Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran. 鈥淭his innovative partnership with CareerSource, Lockheed Martin and the 完美体育 puts in place a new apprenticeship program in the aerospace industry that will open new doors for Floridians looking for a rewarding high-skill, high-wage job. We remain laser-focused on expanding 完美体育鈥檚 workforce education and training opportunities so that Floridians can upskill quickly, acquire nationally recognized postsecondary credentials of value, and ensure high wage jobs can be filled by well-educated and well-trained Floridians.鈥
鈥淟ockheed Martin鈥檚 two-year apprenticeship program will be essential in growing and retaining talent in the Sunshine State,鈥 said Secretary of Commerce Jamal Sowell, president and CEO of Enterprise 完美体育, Inc. 鈥淭his partnership with the 完美体育 and CareerSource 完美体育 will create countless opportunities within our communities.鈥
鈥淕rowing 完美体育鈥檚 skill-based workforce is a top priority for Governor DeSantis, and the Department is proud to support the apprenticeship program between Lockheed Martin and CareerSource 完美体育,鈥澨said Dane Eagle, Executive Director of the 完美体育 Department of Economic Opportunity. 鈥淥ur partnership is vital in the success of these training programs throughout the state, which continue to offer valuable technical skills and sustainable great career paths for Floridians.鈥
The two-year program will congratulate its first round of graduates in July 2021 with the next class of apprentices starting May 24. To apply, visit lockheedmartinjobs.com or CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion鈥檚 website at for contact information.
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