Arthrex selects one of the top machine technology students in South Carolina as first youth apprentice

Arthrex selected its first youth apprentice from the Pickens County Career and Technology Center program. Bradie Reece, one of the top machine technology students in South Carolina, will be learning advanced machining skills at Arthrex’s Anderson County manufacturing facility.

Reece is currently working toward her degree in CNC programming with Tri-County Technical College while completing her high school education. Her mobile robotics team earned second place during the Skills USA National Championship in 2019. Reece also participated in a national five-axis machine high school competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense where her team finished fourth. She acts as a tremendous role model for younger female students considering a career in advanced manufacturing.

Arthrex, a global leader in minimally invasive product development, worked with Apprenticeship Carolina, to establish the youth apprenticeship program this year to enhance its relationship with career and technology centers in the Upstate. Arthrex’s facility in Anderson County is its fourth U.S.-based manufacturing facility, with plans to employ about 1,000 people over the next seven years. “We are happy to be part of a community that is dedicated to developing a workforce pipeline. We are especially excited to play a role in introducing medical device manufacturing to Upstate youth,” said Melanie McLane, human resources manager for Arthrex. “This partnership with Pickens County Career and Technology Center is just another step in our commitment to developing relationships with career and technology centers in the Upstate area. We look forward to expanding the youth apprenticeship program into Anderson and Oconee counties.”

Ken Hitchcock, director of the Pickens County Career and Technology Center, is also excited about the opportunity the partnership provides. “The advanced machine technology skills required by Arthrex will inspire our center to take instruction to the next level,” he added. “This advancement in skills will provide unprecedented opportunities for our students and advanced manufacturing companies in Pickens and Anderson counties.”

An apprenticeship is a time-tested method of employee development that combines supervised on-the-job learning and job-related education. A program “registered” with the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) shows an employer’s visible commitment to developing a high-quality workforce that meets nationally recognized training standards. Registered apprenticeship programs also enable employees to receive incremental wage increases as they demonstrate new competencies throughout the training program.

Since its inception in 2007, Apprenticeship Carolina has played a crucial role in growing apprenticeship participation across the state. The number of participating organizations has increased from 90 to 1,038 today, and the number of apprentices has grown from 777 to more than 33,000 total apprentices. Youth apprenticeship programs have also increased. Currently, there are 230 youth programs across the state, which is up from just five in 2012.

“A youth apprenticeship program provides a wonderful opportunity for a company to build its workforce pipeline with talented young people ready to learn,” said Amy Firestone, vice president for Apprenticeship Carolina. “Apprenticeship Carolina and the technical colleges across our state are committed to building South Carolina’s skilled workforce with partnerships like this with Arthrex.”

About Apprenticeship Carolina™

Apprenticeship Carolina™ is an integral part of the SC Technical College System that works to ensure all employers in South Carolina have access to the information and technical assistance they need to create demand-driven registered apprenticeship programs. Apprenticeship consultants are available to guide companies through the registered apprenticeship development process from initial information to full recognition in the National Registered Apprenticeship System. These services are available to South Carolina employers free of charge. Interested employers are encouraged to contact Apprenticeship Carolina™ at (803) 896-5287 or to visit www.apprenticeshipcarolina.com.