SLO Partners Launches County’s First ‘Ticket into Precision Manufacturing’ Apprenticeship Program

The ‘Tinker to Technician’ Bootcamp will provide locals with skills currently in high-demand

[San Luis Obispo, June, 2019] Today SLO Partners announced the launch of the county’s first Precision Manufacturing Apprenticeship Program. The eight-week bootcamp beginning this July will give local residents the opportunity to either upskill or enter a new career path through accelerated training. On completion of the bootcamp graduates will have the chance to interview for a paid apprenticeship with one of the program’s hiring partners, which include Trust Automation, Accuair, and Revasum, as well as many others.

The bootcamp should prove to be an attractive offering to locals who would like entry level training with a path to a head-of-household career. The average starting wage of a precision manufacturing technician is $15 an hour, progressing to $18 an hour, with more experienced manufacturing production workers earning an average salary of $59,799. Anyone interested in technology or mechanical skills – whether a new high school graduate or those charting new career paths – are eligible to apply.

Skilled workers in manufacturing are currently in high-demand both in SLO County, neighboring Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, and across the country. It currently takes companies an average of two months to fill a skilled position and according to a report by the Public Policy Institute of California, the state will face a middle-skilled worker shortfall of 1.1 million that will affect all of its industries by 2030. This demonstrates a clear need for training opportunities and programs in this sector.

With new developments in AI and automation, and manufacturing jobs changing at a rapid pace, SLO Partners built the apprenticeship program after interviewing local employers about their specific needs including employee skill sets and training. The bootcamp combines leading-edge education with on-the-job training, a unique approach modelled after its successful tech programs, which have been nationally recognized.

“The local precision manufacturing industry is expanding fast and is in need of talented individuals to help them grow,” said Michael Specchierla, Executive Director, SLO Partners. “Our program offers the foundational training these employers are looking for, and creates connections between our bootcamp graduates and the precision manufacturing business community. We are working with local employers who are interested in hiring apprentices as soon as possible.”

The ‘Tinker to Technician’ bootcamp will be held in the evenings from Monday to Thursday in San Luis Obispo. Those who are accepted into the program pay a $199 deposit which will be refunded after successfully attending all classes and completing all projects.

For more information please visit www.slopartners.org/precision-manufacturing

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Notes to editors

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Lindsey McConaghy at (805 471-0165) or [email protected].

About SLO Partners

SLO Partners was formed under the aegis of the San Luis Obispo County Office of Education in 2014 to address college and career readiness among the county’s student population. SLO Partners’ mission is to engage business partners and educators in aligning workforce needs with career and college pathways and provide work experience opportunities to ensure that students have the skills and knowledge necessary for success in the workplace and businesses have the skilled workers required for a sound growing economy. SLO Partners is committed to collaborating with local businesses and education for pathways to opportunity and skilled local talent.