Recently, Groov-Pin participated in the signing ceremony for the second class of apprentices with the Georgia Consortium of Advanced Technical Training (GA CATT) program. GA CATT is similar to German-style apprenticeship programs and seeks to address the shortage of young people looking to enter careers in machining or manufacturing in the state of Georgia. The signing ceremony took place on Monday, August 14, 2017, at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta.
At the signing ceremony, a member of the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Southern United States said that 1.6 million Germans go through programs like this every year. After partnering with local organizations, GA CATT was established last year as the first program of its kind in the U.S. The program combines traditional high school classes with technical classes and a paid apprenticeship segment.
Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle hosted the inaugural signing event last year with eight companies and 10 students participating. “What began with a handful of students last year has now flourished to include 27 students across four college and career academies who are taking steps every day towards meaningful and rewarding careers,” Lt. Gov. Cagle wrote in a letter to participating companies after the ceremony this year.
According to the Newnan Times-Herald, existing partnerships with the Central Educational Center include Groov-Pin, Winpak, E.G.O. North America, Yamaha, Grenzebach, Kason, Yokogawa, and KCMA. New partnerships with Rockdale County’s Career Academy and Newton College and Career Academy include Bosch, Haver & Boecker, Nisshinbo, General Mills, Michelin, Verescence, and FiberVisions. Additional new partnerships were developed between Griffin Regional College and Career Academy and Hoshizaki, American Woodmark, and Norcom.
Groov-Pin became involved with the program after learning about it through the Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP) at Georgia Tech. Groov-Pin has been a member of GaMEP for eight years. Representatives visit with Groov-Pin periodically to assist with projects and provide support for lean manufacturing efforts.
Groov-Pin’s apprentice is 15-year-old Joe Lanave, a student at a technical school in Georgia. He will take lab and technical classes that will teach him important skills like how to run the equipment. Groov-Pin will mentor him for a year and, in addition to the time investment, provide financial compensation and support for educational materials including books, calipers, and other supplies. The GA CATT program also incorporates meetings, get-togethers, and tours hosted by participating companies for apprentices and mentors.
Once Lanave turns 16, he will be allowed to visit Groov-Pin to spend time on the manufacturing floor. He will not be able to work at this time, but he will shadow Groov-Pin Tool Maker Rodney Shelnutt. Shelnutt will serve as Lanave’s main technical mentor. Lanave will also have the opportunity to shadow Operations Manager Scott Bunn as his main administrative mentor and Production Manager Bob Grillo.