Union’s LSP Automotive Establishes the State’s First Federally-Recognized Apprenticeship Program in Mechatronics

Union, SC – April 21, 2009  – LSP Automotive of Union, the first automotive supplier to locate in Union County, continues its trailblazer tradition.  Apprenticeship Carolina™, a division of the South Carolina Technical College System, is pleased to announce that LSP Automotive is sponsoring not only the first federally-recognized apprenticeship program in Union County but also the state’s first federally-recognized apprenticeship program in mechatronics.  LSP Automotive, in partnership with Spartanburg Community College, will be providing a competency-based program for electro-mechanical technicians.

“Apprenticeship programs are very big in Europe and when faced with a shortage of qualified maintenance workers we decided to apply this training approach at our Union facility.  Apprenticeships can provide a wonderful opportunity for our employees and help to build a long term relationship between them and the company.  I started my career 22 years ago as a tool and die apprentice with our parent company and now manage all operations worldwide.  I’m confident that this program will offer major benefits for the area, our employees and the company.  LSP Automotive is more than glad to participate in this investment in our people.” said Oliver Wackenhut, CEO of LSP Automotive.
    
 

Clockwise from top left: Dr. David Just/ Spartanburg Community College, Senator Shane Martin/District 13, Representative Mike Forrester/ District 34, Oliver Wackenhut/ LSP Automotive, Helmut Hetzenecker/LSP Automotive and Ann Marie Stieritz/ Apprenticeship Carolina™
  
    

Representative Mike Forrester and Senator Shane Martin look on as multicraft apprentice William Worthy prepares the machinist’s vise
 
    
  
 

Helmut Hetzenecker, LSP’s apprenticeship training manager offers advice to multicraft apprentice Jonathan House
 
 
 
 

“Apprenticeships have a long history in our parent company.” said Helmut Hetzenecker, apprenticeship training manager. “Our CEO is a prime example of the career paths apprenticeships can provide.  Our goal is to train our employees and provide not only a great basis as a start but also the opportunity to grow.  My hope is that our current apprentices will later be leaders at LSP.”

An apprenticeship is a time-tested method of employee career 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. LSP Automotive’s apprenticeship program will train and mentor participants on the job over the course of two years.  The curriculum is being delivered by Spartanburg Community College through a blended approach incorporating both credit and continuing education courses.

“The effectiveness of apprenticeship as a career development tool is becoming quite clear in South Carolina as Apprenticeship Carolina™ continues to add an average of one federally registered program per week,” said Ann Marie Stieritz, director of Apprenticeship Carolina™. “LSP’s registration of their program for mechatronics shows their commitment to growing a skilled workforce.  The benefits of such an investment in people and skills are far-reaching – the company, the employee and the community all reap the benefits of a qualified, highly-skilled workforce. Apprenticeship Carolina™, along with South Carolina’s technical colleges, are delighted to be an integral part of this effort.”

LSP Automotive

Founded in 2005 LSP Automotive supplies BMW with Class A stampings and assemblies for the X6. LSP became the first automotive supplier in Union County, South Carolina.  LSP Automotive is a Tier one supplier of premium Class A metal and assemblies for the North American automotive industry. LSP is a 100% subsidiary of the German Automotive supplier Laepple AG. Laepple has been the system partner to the automotive and sheet metal industry for over 80 years. With more than 4500 employees worldwide, Laepple provides Audi, BMW, Daimler, Porsche, Volvo, VW, DAF, Opel, among others, with dies, prototypes, sheet metal stampings and plastic molds. For more information, visit LSP’s website at www.lspautomotive.com.

Apprenticeship Carolina™

Apprenticeship Carolina™ is a new division of the South Carolina 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.