Apprenticeship 2000 — a four-year program that provides training in highly skilled technical trades to students in Charlotte, N.C. — recently got a boost from three industry suppliers: RJG Inc., Traverse City, Mich.; Ameritech Die and Mold Inc., Mooresville, N.C.; and Progressive Components, Wauconda, Ill. The three companies worked together to construct a mold that will be housed in RJG's North Carolina training facility:• RJG contributed expertise from its TZERO consulting team, which streamlines the tool-launch process;• Progressive donated eight rapid tooling inserts; and• Ameritech Die and Mold workers volunteered their time and resources to build the mold.
Students worked alongside Ameritech as the mold was constructed to learn about each stage of the process. At the end of the program, students receive an associate degree in mechatronics engineering technology, a journeyman's certificate, and a guaranteed annual salary of $36,000.
