The state recently awarded Cambridge-Lee Industries, a Berks County copper supplier, a $21,106 grant through the Pre-Apprentice and Apprenticeship Grant Program.
The program works to increase apprenticeship availability by assisting employers in recruiting talent. Eligible applicants use funds for expenses related to instruction that complements on-the-job learning.
“As the commonwealth’s manufacturing industry continues to grow, supporting and fueling a skilled and ready workforce has never been more important,” Gov. Tom Wolf said. “This funding helps Cambridge-Lee Industries offer essential training to prepare apprentices for sustainable manufacturing careers.”
Cambridge-Lee Industries will train three manufacturing apprentices in industrial maintenance in a four-year curriculum training program at Berks Career & Technology Center.
The company developed and initiated a complete training program for their Maintenance Mechanics and Maintenance Electricians in 2017. The Department of Labor & Industry approved the company’s Industrial Maintenance apprenticeship program in 2020.
“We are grateful and excited for an opportunity to continue to support our employees through this apprenticeship journey,” Kristen N Hasenauer, Cambridge-Lee Industries human resources manager, said. “We are passionate about providing opportunities for learning and growth, and this grant will help support those efforts.”
Cambridge-Lee Industries works with the plumbing, HVAC, construction, industrial, and original equipment manufacture industries. It distributes globally from warehouse locations throughout the United States and Canada.