Apprenticeship program preparing, recognizing students in manufacturing

The Raymond Corp.'s Youth Apprenticeship Program graduated latest group of students from New York school district.

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The Raymond Corp. recognized high school seniors who have spent the past year contributing to Raymond through its Youth Apprenticeship Program at an apprenticeship senior night in Greene, N.Y., on May 23, 2012. Established in 1991, the apprenticeship program prepares students for careers in the manufacturing industry. Held in conjunction with Broome-Tioga Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) and the Greene School District in New York, the apprenticeship program included 56 students since 1991.

“The Raymond Corporation does an outstanding job of mentoring and coaching the high school students who participate in the Youth Apprenticeship Program,” says Sandra Watkins, career development center supervisor at BOCES. “The program has become part of the business culture at Raymond because it sees the value in our partnership and how it benefits not only the students but the business, the industry and the school.”

Following each apprenticeship term, Raymond holds a yearly apprenticeship senior night, where student apprentices share the skills they have acquired as a result of the program. Students typically highlight increased knowledge related to areas such as workflow process, quality improvement and material handling.

The Youth Apprenticeship Program, coordinated through BOCES, is part of Raymond’s commitment to improve the future of manufacturing. It allows junior and senior high school students to explore multiple career options in the material handling industry. The program provides a firsthand look at the intricacies of manufacturing and encourages students in their career pursuits.

Attesting to the overall success of this program, Raymond has hired many past participants as full-time employees at its headquarters.