United Tool and Mold Launches Apprenticeship Program

Scott Phipps, United Tool and Mold President, says that America was built on skilled trades.

“We're losing our track,” Phipps said. “We have to get this country back on track, on pace. And we want to be a part of that.”

That's why his company wants to help foster the next generation of skilled workers by launching the Upstate's first School-to-Registered-Apprenticeship program.

“We've got to give back to our community,” Phipps said.

Officials gathered at the Pickens County Career and Technology Center this morning to celebrate the announcement of the apprenticeship program.

Juniors in high school will apply to the apprenticeship program and then United Tool and Mold officials will interview them.

“We hire two a year,” said Jeromy Arnett, production administration manager and coordinator of apprenticeships said United Tool and Mold. “They come in and work during their junior year, to learn about our business, to help build the skill set that they're going to need they during their senior year at the career center.

After the apprentices work at United Tool and Mold their senior year, “we'll go right to Tri-County Tech for a two year Associates degree, then they'll fall right into our adult apprenticeship program,” Arnett continued. “What we're trying to do is take kids with drive and intuition and build upon those character sets, character traits and give them the skills they need to become successful, productive citizens of our county.”

Arnett said United Tool and Mold wanted to work with the career center because the company has directly benefited from the center.

“The career center is what's helped grow United Tool and Mold,” Arnett said, adding the company has 17 members who went the machine tool technology program at the B.J. Skelton Career Center, include plant managers and the company's Chief Operating Officer.

“The opportunities that are available for these kids are immense, if you take a skilled trade and you build on it,” Arnett said. “These kids are our future. If we don't give back to them now, how can we expect to get more out of them in 20 years?”

He said it was important for United Tool and Mold to work with the career center, “so we can pick the next wave of young rhinos at United Tool and Mold to help lead our company into the future.”

“The only way we were going to do that was to reach back and give back to the program that's done so much to our company,” Arnett said.

At the Pickens County Career and Technology Center, students are offered the opportunity to “add value to themselves” by developing marketable skills, said Director Leonard Williams.

“This is especially true for students in mechatronics, machine tools, welding and drafting,” Williams said. “Today we're here to celebrate the announcement of an opportunity for Pickens County Career and Technology students to develop marketable, specialized skills.”

Officials hope other business and industry leaders will launch apprenticeship programs as well.

“It's not just for us,” Phipps said. “There's many opportunities out there for Tri Tech, for Reliable, JM Mold. We have to help … find the right people and find the right job that fits them.”

Arnett agreed.

“Scott has started a heck of an opportunity,” he said. “It's time for more businesses in our county to step up and reach back and become bigger players in the career center. We want to be the flag bearers.”

Arnett introduced students Ryan Lamb and Toby Walker who began working with the company last summer “to learn some skills they can market and be able to sell – to us in the future, hopefully.”

“These guys gave up their summers,” Arnett said. “They came right to work after they got done with their junior year. That's the type of kid that's going to lead our company to the next level.”

Dexter Duncan and Brandon Richards will be the next two in the United Tool and Mold's apprenticeship program.

“This is the future of United Tool and Mold,” Arnett said.

Phipps told students that when they learn a skill or a trade, “nobody can take that away from you.”

Superintendent Dr. Kelly Pew said the school district's goal is “to prepare students for what they're going to do next,” whether that's going to a four-year college, two-year college, the military, or directly into the workforce.

“We've got to make sure that we prepare students, that we give them that skill set so that when they leave our schools, they're prepared to be hired.” Pew said. “I think this is a great opportunity for our students to really see the occupations, the money that can be made in these jobs, and to give them the opportunity to see what it's all about before they ever leave high school.”