Valerie Pinarski, Northern Indiana Workforce Board's Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Engagement Case Manager, recently assisted David Eli, who had worked at Manchester Tank for 35 years, before it closed. Dave was interested in a training opportunity, but was leery of training in a traditional school environment.
Valerie informed Dave that an apprenticeship program was an option for him, through his TAA benefits. As it happens, Lucas Vincentini with Marson International was interested in bringing Dave on as an apprentice.
Senior Industry Advisor Dietra Rosenkoetter at Purdue Manufacturing Extension partnership worked with Valerie to create a related training curriculum, which was promptly submitted to the United States Department of Labor for approval. Within a week the program was approved. The apprenticeship program was also submitted as a TAA training plan request to TAA for approval was also immediately approved.
David was successfully on-boarded as a Safety and Health Specialist apprentice at Marson International. It all happened in under 3 weeks!
It is amazing what a team can do!