Drake State partnership to start apprenticeship program

Drake State partnership to start apprenticeship program

New information -- drake state community and technical college announced a partnership with mazda toyota.

It's to start its first apprenticeship program.

You're taking a look at the first two students to be a part of it.

They'll go to school and work on the plant floor at mazda toyota.

Waay-31s alexis scott spoke with one of the students on what this means for him.

Students who get to be apart of the apprenticeship program will be in school at drake state 2 days out of the week and work at mazda toyota for 3 days out of the week... directly working with a mentor and getting paid.

Once finished... they'll have earned a spot on the team as a full-time employee if wanted.

Darise andrews, drake state student "i've always dreamed of working for a huge company like mazda toyota so i'm just ready to take on the challenge that comes with it," darise andrews is one of two chosen students who are part of the newly announced partnership.

Representatives from drake told me this has been in the works for nearly 2 years and they believe it's needed with the workforce development we're seeing in huntsville.

The program will be 2 years long and once finished... they'll have earned their associates degree in applied science in industrial maintence and will be a full-time employee candidate for mazda toyota.

The human resource development manager from mazda toyota told me they're proud to be able to start this working relationship with drake.

Scott russo, mazda toyota "this is just one step in that direction.

Not just for mazda toyota.

For toyota, polaris, all the other companies in this area.

How do we build workforce so that they can actually hire from a really skilled and motivated pool," already shot to be considered for the competitive program... you have to be enrolled at drake state and will need a resume to go through the interview process.

Reporting in huntsville alexis scott waay-31 news.

Thanks alexis.

Drake state employees told us they are working with other local