Apprenticeships Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Apprenticeship, Absenteeism Discussed In Education Committees

A bill in the House of Delegates is working to give those trade workers academic credit, while a Senate bill is trying to get to the heart of the state’s student absences.

Everyone wants to get credit for their work, and for years legislators and educational leaders have said vocational apprentices have gone unnoticed for theirs. A bill in the House of Delegates is working to give those trade workers academic credit, while a Senate bill is trying to get to the heart of the state’s student absences.

According to federal data, West Virginia has one of the lowest educational attainment, or levels of post-secondary education, in the country. But educational leaders and lawmakers like Del. Matthew Rohrbach, R-Cabell, believe that rating is artificially low.

Rohrbach is lead sponsor of House Bill 5435. He told the House Education Committee Wednesday the bill would allow people completing apprenticeships to receive an associate degree in applied science.

“One of the things that I know the speaker and I feel very strongly about is, we need to get that recognition because I don’t accept the fact that West Virginians aren’t educated,” Rohrbach said. “These folks are just as educated as anybody coming out of any other college and this is going to be a track that they can get an associate’s degree or certificate program, whichever they choose. And that will get our college attainment rates up to where they should be, frankly.“

Apprenticeship programs from any trade or industry will qualify, provided the program is recognized by the U. S. Department of Labor. Apprentices will be required to complete 15 credit hours of general education courses.

Del. Rolland Jennings, R-Preston, expressed concern that apprentices at smaller businesses and operations will be excluded.

“My heartache with it is, I can see a lot of small companies not being recognized under the federal guidelines,” he said. “And so their people won’t have this opportunity. Because they can still test and get their license. But they’re not going to be eligible because they’re not recognized through the federal government as an apprenticeship program. And so now they can’t use this.”

The committee ultimately recommended the bill to the full House, but first referred it to the Committee on Finance.

The House Education Committee also discussed and moved forward four other bills, including reconsidering two bills that had previously passed the committee.

HB 4919, Relating to the Promise Scholarship.
HB 4951, To facilitate the interstate practice of School Psychology in educational or school settings.
HB 4986, Relating to computer science and cybersecurity instruction for adult learners.
HB 5262, Relating generally to teacher’s bill of rights.

Chronic Absenteeism

In the Senate Education Committee Thursday, senators discussed a bill to address chronic absenteeism among students.

Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10 percent of the school year or more, which amounts to 18 days. State Superintendent Michele Blatt told the committee a third of all students in West Virginia are considered chronically absent, reflecting a rising national trend.

“We have about 34-35 percent of our students that are chronically absent,” she said. “When you’re missing one to three days a month out of instruction, you’re not only getting behind yourself, but our teachers are having to struggle to catch that child up while continuing to move forward with the rest of the class. So it has a huge impact on the achievement really, of all students in the school when we’re dealing with these chronic absenteeism issues.”

Senate Bill 568 changes the focus from counting truancy and unexcused absences to a multi-tiered system of support with emphasis on all absences, both excused and unexcused. Attendance officers would be required to make contact with parents and guardians as soon as three absences of any kind were recorded.

Blatt said currently, attendance staff are occupied primarily with record keeping and documenting absences.

“It frees up our attendance directors, counselors, social workers and those people in our in our counties to truly focus on what’s causing this chronic absenteeism issue and what are the things that we need to put in place because so much time in the past has been tracking whether it’s an excused or unexcused absence, and the bottom line is if they’re not there, they’re not getting instruction,” she said.

The bill now goes to the full Senate for its consideration with a reference to the Judiciary Committee.

Glassmaking Apprenticeship Open For SNAP Recipients

On-the-job training and apprenticeship opportunities are available at Blenko Glass in Milton, West Virginia through the Bureau for Family Assistance.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Employment & Training participants are eligible to apply.

Blenko Glass Company is a 128-year-old family business specializing in artisanal hand-blown glass. This partnership allows program participants to train as apprentices, earn the equivalent of an associate degree and receive skill-based pay increases.

“The Bureau for Family Assistance is excited to partner with the one and only Blenko Glass Company to promote unique training and employment opportunities for our clients,” said Janie Cole, commissioner of DHHR’s Bureau for Family Assistance. “We are eager to expand our reach through new partnerships and help put more SNAP clients into high-demand, well-paying jobs so that they may make meaningful changes in their lives and the lives of their families. The chance to do that with a West Virginia icon like Blenko just makes it that much better.”

This partnership allows program participants to train as apprentices, earn the equivalent of an associate degree, and receive skill-based pay increases.

Blenko recently partnered with the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship and the West Virginia Department of Economic Development to build and implement West Virginia’s first registered Glass Worker Apprenticeship. The apprenticeship consists of a blend of on-the-job training by Blenko Glass Company’s master craftsmen, in addition to classroom instruction from a veteran glass artist.

Blenko Glass Company’s learn-and-earn model apprenticeship is an industry-driven career pathway where the company develops its future workforce, and participants obtain paid work experience, classroom instruction and a nationally recognized portable certificate.

“Through this partnership with the SNAP E&T program, we hope to deepen our connections with West Virginians and make a difference in our communities while continuing to preserve our state’s glassmaking history,” said Blenko Glass President John W. Blenko, M.D. “It is our goal to provide program participants with the education, training and support they need to become self-sufficient members of our workforce.”

Individuals currently enrolled or potentially eligible for SNAP benefits who are interested in paid placement at Blenko Glass Company should contact their local county DHHR office and ask to be referred to SNAP E&T.

Individuals and families may apply for SNAP benefits at www.wvpath.wv.gov or at their local DHHR office. To find a DHHR office near you, visit https://dhhr.wv.gov/pages/field-offices.aspx.

W.Va. Legislature Enters Final Week Of 2023 Session

On this episode of The Legislature Today, we have officially begun the final week of the 2023 West Virginia Legislative session. WVPB’s News Director Eric Douglas talks with reporter Curtis Tate about bills he’s been following this legislative session, including the latest on a bill that would limit gender-affirming health care in West Virginia.

On this episode of The Legislature Today, we have officially begun the final week of the 2023 West Virginia Legislative session. WVPB’s News Director Eric Douglas talks with reporter Curtis Tate about bills he’s been following this legislative session, including the latest on a bill that would limit gender-affirming health care in West Virginia.

Also, on Saturday, the House of Delegates met in an extended session and took up several major bills, including an effort to shore up the Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA).

Justice signed a bill into law Monday that separates the Department of Health and Human Resources into three separate agencies — one for health, one for human resources, like Child Protective Services, and a third for health facilities.

A bill to recognize an unborn child as a victim in a DUI causing death passed the Senate Monday with amendments. The bill now returns to the House for their agreement.

And lawmakers considered a bill that would provide public charter schools access to funding from the Safe School Safety Fund.

Finally, West Virginia’s working men and women took center stage in the Capitol rotunda. On Trades Apprenticeship Day at the West Virginia Legislature, the old is new again when it comes to learning an occupation.

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The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.

Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Trades Apprenticeship Day At The Legislature Highlights Career Paths

West Virginia’s working men and women took center stage in the Capitol rotunda Monday. On Trades Apprenticeship Day at the West Virginia Legislature, the old is new again when it comes to learning an occupation.

West Virginia’s working men and women took center stage in the Capitol rotunda Monday.

On Trades Apprenticeship Day at the West Virginia Legislature, the old is new again when it comes to learning an occupation.

Construction, maintenance, renovation, design, the job themes here update what goes back to the medieval apprentice times of the butcher, baker and candlestick maker. West Virginia is fifth in the nation for apprenticeship programs. George Capel, the government relations director for the West Virginia State Building and Construction Trades, said the “earn while you learn” initiative puts thousands on a direct career path.

“You have a job while you’re in the program, and you’re paid a living wage while you’re receiving your education,” Capel said. “It’s tuition free for the apprentice so there are a lot of great benefits for the apprentices in these programs.”

Capel said he’s concerned with Senate Bill 59, which has been stalled in the House Workforce Development Committee since Valentine’s Day. The measure would cut unemployment benefits from 26 to 12 weeks. Capel noted that many construction jobs are temporary and/or seasonal.

“Folks who are on unemployment are there through no fault of their own, so it’s not just like they’re staying on there for an indefinite amount of time,” Capel said. “You have to have earned wages in West Virginia for the last 18 months to be on those rolls, and it’s important to us because those unemployment benefits get our folks to the times when there is no work, whether that’s the winter months or time between projects, we rely on that.”

These trade folks want to see an equivalency program, similar to what they have in Michigan and some other states. A program where you complete your trade apprenticeship and you earn an associate’s degree.

Shawn Young from Buckhannon completed a five year electrical apprenticeship, went to work as an electrician and is now a IBEW union organizer. Young said earning that degree from an apprenticeship would open more career doors.

“I work for the union, other people go work for contractors directly, maybe in the office as a project manager, or an estimator,” Young said. “Some of those positions with these big companies require some kind of college education even if it’s not even related. In a related field to have that degree and then be able to continue to pursue higher education afterwards would be a great thing.”

Twelve construction craft unions, all supporting apprenticeships, were represented at the Capitol.

W.Va. Among National Leaders In Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships go back to medieval times. Think of the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker. What’s old is new again and the growing vocational trend seems well fitted to the Mountain State workforce.

Apprenticeships go back to medieval times. Think of the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker. Why was Benjamin Franklin such a great writer, publisher and thinker? He began as a print shop apprentice at age 10. More than half of all European high school students are in active apprenticeships.

What’s old is new again and the growing vocational trend seems well fitted to the Mountain State workforce.

Dave Lavender, with the West Virginia Department of Economic Development in workforce training and apprenticeship, explained that these positions offer paid, short term, work-based experiences.

“An apprenticeship is at least a part time job, 20 hours a week or more as designated by the Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeships,” Lavender said. “It’s a paid job. It’s meant to be a permanent job on ramp to a career.”

Lavender said West Virginia ranks fifth per capita in the United States for apprenticeships. He said the state has taken the time-tested model used by plumbers, pipe fitters, welders and others in the skilled trades. It’s a model now being applied to a multitude of career paths, from meat cutting to the world of high tech.

“We have over 100 apprentices at IBM at the rocket center,” Lavender said. “We have apprentices in cybersecurity, the solar panel and wind turbine industry and home health aides. These are great paying jobs. Kids can come right out of high school and make a great living wage.”

As one of the state’s last true glass factories, Blenko Glass Production Manager David Wertz was concerned about the century-old Milton institution surviving within a declining national industry.

Blenko recently began the state’s first registered Glass Worker Apprenticeship program, advancing its thriving apprenticeship commitment, with young people learning a historic trade.

“We wouldn’t have a future without it, we would simply be snuffed out of the industry,” Wertz said. “It means that we have more options and more availability to help our junior class workers learn and gain more opportunities by bringing in outside training.”

Wertz said it’s not just improving opportunities for Blenko workers, but for the company, and the state as well.

“It means that we’re going to be able to last another 100 years,” Wertz said. “We’re not only making better benefits for our current folks, but we’re creating more careers and more jobs down the road as well.”

Taylor Brumfield, a Glenville State University Fine Arts graduate, said her Blenko Glass apprenticeship helps create a brighter future for her and the state.

“If you lose this art form, then who else is going to continue it to keep it within our Appalachian culture?” Brumfield said. “I’d prefer to work my way up to being a glass piece finisher. I think I’m a quarter of the way to that, but it’s going to take at least five years, that’s a short time.”

Lavender said apprenticeships work well here because of a strong West Virginia work ethic and the inclusionary nature of the career program.

“Diversity and inclusion is baked in. Everyone has a seat at the table,” Lavender said. “You don’t have to have any other prior experience. You can come on board and we will pay you while we’re teaching you how to do a job.“

For information on the more than 1400 apprenticeships available nationwide, go to the Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship website.

New Apprentice Program Takes Hold At Old School Glass Company

The state’s first registered Glass Worker Apprenticeship began in earnest on Wednesday. Blenko Glass now has a thriving apprenticeship commitment, with young people learning a historic trade.

As one of the state’s last true glass factories, Blenko Glass Production Manager David Wertz was concerned about the century-old Milton institution surviving within a declining national industry.

Partnering with the U.S Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program and the West Virginia Department of Economic Development, the state’s first registered Glass Worker Apprenticeship began in earnest on Wednesday. Blenko Glass now has a thriving apprenticeship commitment, with young people learning a historic trade.

“We wouldn’t have a future without it, we would simply be snuffed out of the industry,” Wertz said. “It means that we have more options and more availability to help our junior class workers learn and get more opportunities by bringing in outside training. It means that we’re going to be able to last another 100 years.”

Wertz said the world-class, on-the-job, paid teaching program offers future growth unheard of in the glass blowing business.

“It’ll be a different ballgame here. We’ll be able to staff more shops to train more people,” Wertz said. “We’re not only making better benefits for our current folks, but we’re creating more careers and more jobs down the road as well.”

Taylor Brumfield, a Glenville State University Fine Arts Graduate, said this apprenticeship helps create a brighter future for her — and her state.

Blenko Glass apprentice Taylor Brumfield works with Master Glassblower Ray Adkins in the “hot shop.”

“If you lose this art form, then who else is going to continue it to keep it within our Appalachian culture?” Brumfield said. “I’d prefer to work my way up to being a glass piece finisher. I think I’m a quarter of the way to that. But it’s going to take at least five years, that’s a short time.”

Wertz said he has about 20 people apprenticing and working in the “hot shop,” and most of them are under 30.

“We start work at 6 a.m. and it is hot, hard, brutal work. It’s not easy to get a young person in this day and age to show up at 6 a.m. and bust their butts in the heat of the summer and the chill of the winter,” Wertz said. “It takes passion to be a great glass worker. You have to be passionate about what you’re doing. You can see that here every single day, every minute of the day when we’re in production. People are just pouring their passion out here at Blenko.”

Dave Lavender, with the West Virginia Department of Economic Development, Workforce Training and Apprenticeships, said the state proudly ranks fifth in the nation per capita in offering apprenticeship opportunities.

“We put them in with everything from wind turbine techs to meat cutters to home health aides, brewers, IT, aerospace,” Lavender said. “We’re the second state to do a Grow Your Own teacher apprenticeship, which is now really catching fire around the nation. West Virginia is setting a national trend when it comes to apprenticeships.”