Met-South, Inc. taps Wallace State apprentice program

Published 5:00 am Saturday, June 16, 2018

A new Hanceville company and two of its employees are reaping the benefits of a learning collaboration with Wallace State Community College, and organizers say the program, Apprenticeship Alabama, is a win for both sides.

New automotive supplier Met-South, Inc., which is set to open this month in Hanceville, looked to Wallace State when it realized the need to add to its growing team of skilled workers.

“We called Wallace State Community College and asked if they had any students who might be interested in a job,” said Cathy Jesse, office manager at Met-South.

Wallace State responded, sharing information about the school’s apprenticeship program. “They thought we’d be a good fit,” said Jesse.

Met-South owner Don Jesse toured Wallace State and liked what he saw, observing a learning environment that engaged many of the same tools and skills his business needs. “They use the same machines that we use, and they provide a total training package, which includes workplace ethics,” he said.

The apprenticeship program allows students to work at a job while attending a community college to obtain a credential in their field. “This is another tool in our toolbox,” said Dr. Vicki Karolewics, Wallace State president. “This is the path the students and the employers wanted.”

Cathy Jesse said she was very interested in apprenticeships, but wanted to take it to the next level. After consulting with Apprenticeship Alabama project manager Patsy Richards, she liked what she heard, and it wasn’t long before registered Wallace State apprentices were working at Met-South.

That was two years ago. Now, Met-South employees Justin Burnett and Fabian Cervantes are in the middle of their 8,000-hour apprenticeships at the company. Both have already received their associates degree in machine tool technology from Wallace State.

“I learned about the apprenticeship opportunity when I was at Wallace State. Someone from Met-South spoke to our class about a job. I thought it was a great chance to with hands-on training, with the goal of having a journeyman’s card,” said Burnett.

Cervantes agreed, saying he entered the program “young in the trade and wanted to advance my skills. Plus, it offers good pay, and I enjoy working with my hands.”

To learn more about starting an Apprenticeship Alabama program at your facility, visit the Apprenticeship Alabama website, madeinalabama.com/workforce-and-training/apprenticeship-alabama/.