In recognition of National Apprenticeship Week (November 12-18), the Maryland Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MD MEP) is hosting a special presentation at Dixon Valve in Chestertown, Md. to honor the steering committee, trainers and participants in the hose coupling manufacturer’s CNC (computer numeric controlled) Machinist apprenticeship program. On November 15 at 11:30 a.m., Dixon’s apprenticeship team will be presented with awards and have the opportunity to speak about their experience in the program.
Special guests at the presentation will include Kelly Schulz, secretary of the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation; Michael Kelleher, executive director of MD MEP, Bob Grace, president of Dixon Valve, and Chip Williams and Dan Lessard, assistant vice presidents, Human Resources, Dixon Valve.
National Apprenticeship Week is presented by the United States Department of Labor to highlight the benefits of apprenticeship in preparing a highly-skilled workforce to meet the talent needs of employers across diverse industries.
Dixon Valve partnered with MD MEP to help bolster its apprenticeship program, as the 102-year-old manufacturer was finding it difficult to recruit talent with the automation and technical skills needed in today’s modern plant. By implementing its own CNC Machinist apprenticeship program, Dixon is now able to grow its workforce from within and has structure in place to select qualified candidates and guide them through a competency-based training program. Dixon’s current class of CNC Machinist apprentices recently completed the first level of the program.
Media are invited to attend and interviews with representatives of MD MEP and Dixon Valve will be available before and after the program.
Event overview:
Who: Maryland Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MD MEP) and Dixon Valve
What: National Apprentice Week presentation
When: Thursday, November 15; 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Where: Dixon Innovation Center, 153 Dixon Drive, Chestertown, Md. 21620
Contact: Lindsay Hebert, Devaney & Associates, 443-471-5103, [email protected]
About the Maryland Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MD MEP)
The Maryland Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MD MEP) is a non-profit organization funded by industry and the State of Maryland that is focused on growing and strengthening Maryland manufacturers. Serving mostly small- and mid-size manufacturers (500 employees or less) across all industries, MD MEP provides an array of programs and services to help these local companies operate more efficiently, grow profitability and create more jobs and opportunities in Maryland. MD MEP is part of the MEP National Network™ and has served more than 400 manufacturers across the state, generating more than $165 million in economic impact and more than 900 jobs. For more information, please call 443-343-0085 or visit mdmep.org.
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