Indium Corp. launches apprenticeship program

CLINTON, N.Y. — Indium Corporation formally signed and registered its apprenticeship program during a November visit from New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. 

The company is partnering with DeWitt–based MACNY, the Manufacturers Association; Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC); the National Institute for Innovation and Technology (NIIT); and SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly), the company said in a Nov. 17 news release.

The partnership allows Indium to offer select employees an opportunity for on-the-job training while also working toward earning their professional certificates and college credits. 

Indium will initially offer two apprenticeship opportunities: industrial-manufacturing technician and quality technician. The first cohort of 12 to 15 existing employees will start a two-year program in 2022, the firm said.

The Nov. 17 signing was part of several National Apprenticeship Week activities occurring throughout the state and nationwide. 

“Apprenticeships are a proven pathway to great careers that also provide a pipeline of skilled workers to employers across the economic spectrum,” New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said. “I applaud Indium Corporation and MACNY for joining forces to provide New Yorkers with the skills they need to succeed. Partnerships with this kind of synergy are an important part of New York State’s master plan to build back better.”

Reardon’s tour also included a visit to Majestic Mold and Tool Inc. in Phoenix in Oswego County, the New York State Department of Labor said in a Nov. 30 release about the program.

Indium employs more than 1,200 people worldwide, including more than 800 in Central New York. The company has had “significant growth” due to increased industry demand, resulting in “record numbers” of new employees and open positions. Those include more than 40 immediate openings for production operators at its Rome facility at 5836 Success Drive.

“The New York State Apprenticeship Program embraces Indium Corporation’s commitment to developing our employees to not only flourish in their current positions but meet the growing needs of the advanced manufacturing industry, especially semiconductors,” Ross Berntson, president and COO of Indium Corporation, said. “Through apprenticeships, Indium Corporation gains a credentialed program that leverages the strengths of our supervisors and subject matter experts, our local colleges, including MVCC and SUNY Poly, and organizations such as MACNY and NIIT.

The program will help the company continue to attract and develop engineering technicians, quality technicians, engineers, metallurgists, and chemists to support the “growing needs” of the advanced manufacturing industry, especially semiconductors, Bernston added.

Registered apprenticeships are vital to keeping our workforce “strong,” Randy Wolken, president & CEO of MACNY, said.

“They provide incumbent workers with on-the-job training and related instruction to meet the future needs of their companies. Our registered apprenticeship approach has proven to be successful year after year, and we couldn’t do it all without the strong collaboration of our community partners,” he said.

About the state program

New York State has one of the largest apprenticeship programs in the country, the state Labor Department contends. 

Training is underway for 18,386 registered apprentices in various skilled trades in 975 programs powered by 639 sponsors across the state. Employer participation in apprenticeships “continues to grow,” with 33 new programs and 93 new employers in the last year, alone. 

An apprenticeship allows New Yorkers to access job opportunities through hands-on learning and direct work experience in both the construction and non-construction trades. Apprenticeships also provide the “pathway to a family-sustaining wage and benefits, and quality training throughout one’s career,” the state Labor Department said.