SPRINGFIELD – With successful sponsorship by MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board led by President & CEO David M. Cruise, CRRC MA and Sheet Metal Workers Local 63 are partners on the execution of a state approved Registered Apprenticeship program for mechanical production worker training in rail car manufacturing. The first apprenticeship program in the U.S. for rail car manufacturing, The Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development was awarded a US DOL Massachusetts Apprenticeship Initiative grant and contracted with MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board to expand the range of industries/occupations participating in registered apprenticeship training models, expand and diversify the number of trainees who are certified through apprenticeships and to integrate the apprenticeship model into a career pathway model.
The MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board is sponsoring a 1 year Registered Apprenticeship Program; equivalent to 2,000 hours of technical training to apprentices seeking careers in rail car manufacturing at CRRC MA Corp in addition to 150 hours of related technical instruction provided by Local 63.
“Thank you MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board President and CEO David M. Cruise for sponsoring CRRC MA”, said CRRC MA President Jia Bo. “This is a great opportunity and partnership. With the support of The Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Apprenticeship Standards, MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board, and Sheet Metal Workers Local 63 we will prepare apprentices for a career in rail car manufacturing, build our workforce, and be a model for future apprenticeship programs.”
“The Registered Apprenticeship Program at CRRC provides career opportunities for unemployed/underemployed residents to work, be paid and be trained to develop professional technical skills resulting in a long-term career pathway in manufacturing,” said David M. Cruise President & CEO MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board Awarded its first subway car contract in 2014 to design and build rail cars for Boston’s MBTA, CRRC MA sited the corporation’s North American manufacturing facility in Springfield for its rich history in manufacturing and the City’s openness to partnership building through education, vocational training and job creation.
Partnerships with MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board, local unions 63 & 7, and educational institutions including Springfield Technical Community College, Worcester Polytechnic, Putnam Vocational continue today supporting CRRC’s presence and the growth of the corporation’s workforce. CRRC-MA’s workforce comprises 268 employees. The manufacturing facility in Springfield employs 179 employees, including 122 union production employees.
“This State Apprenticeship Apprentice Program could not have come at a better time for both Local 63 and CRRC MA,” said John Scavotto Local 63 Sheet Metal Workers Business Manager. “With rail car manufacturing ramping up at the facility our collaborative training efforts will grow Local 63 membership providing new workers a career in rail car manufacturing along with a competitive wage package.”
CRRC MA will work collaboratively with Hampden County Workforce Board and Local Union 63 to ensure apprentices are providing training in all phases of manufacturing processes. CRRC MA and Local 63 Apprenticeship curriculum includes: Fundamental of Shop Safety, Blueprint Reading, Related Mathematics, Assembly/Fabrication – Hand and Power Tools, OSHA – Certification/General Industry, Welding including: Metal Arc Welding Process, Gas Metal Arc Welding Process, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding Process.
