National Apprenticeship Week – Collin College's Registered Apprenticeship Program Expansion and Exciting News

National Apprenticeship Week kicked off in full throttle for Collin College with a signing ceremony for Raytheon’s Registered Apprenticeship program and for some exciting news about the college’s new Registered Apprenticeship partnership with Encore Wire.

On Nov. 14, Raytheon and the college held a signing ceremony for the expansion of the occupational roles in the Registered Apprenticeship program at the Raytheon Optics Consolidated Manufacturing Center.

Raytheon partnered with Collin College through the U.S. Department of Labor last year establishing the Advance Manufacturing Consortium, several businesses under a sponsor (Collin College) operating a Registered Apprenticeship program, with three occupational roles. A fourth role was added this year supporting Optics Manufacturing.

“We consider the expansion of the Raytheon Registered Apprenticeship program and the expansion of the Advance Manufacturing Consortium an honor and a privilege,” said Dr. Brenden Mesch, provost at Collin College Technical Campus. “To have Raytheon add a new occupational role to the three current roles in their apprenticeship and launching an apprenticeship partnership with Encore Wire, demonstrates our commitment to bridging the manufacturing skills gap throughout the region.”

Encore Wire joined the consortium in August of this year with three occupations in its apprenticeship program. Together, Raytheon and Encore Wire Registered Apprenticeship programs make up Collin College’s growing Advanced Manufacturing Consortium.

Collin College program areas impacted by these apprenticeship partnerships are Electronic Engineering Technology and Welding. Students can earn credits towards an Associate of Applied Science in Electronic Engineering Technology or an Associate of Applied Science in Welding.

With more manufacturing industries like Raytheon and Encore partnering with Collin College, North Texas will continue to strengthen the economy and develop workforce ready professionals.

In addition to the Advanced Manufacturing Consortium, Collin College also established an Education Consortium through the U.S. Department of Labor this past August. To read more information about this program, visit www.collin.edu/news/2023/06/20230626RegisteredApprenticeships.html.

To learn more about all of Collin College Registered Apprenticeship programs, visit www.collin.edu/studentresources/support/internships/apprenticeships.

Collin College serves more than 58,000 credit and continuing education students annually and offers more than 200 degrees and certificates, including a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), a Bachelor of Applied Technology (BAT) in Cybersecurity, a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Construction Management, and a new Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Clinical Operations Management. The only public college based in Collin County, Collin College is a partner to business, government, and industry, providing customized training and workforce development. For more information, visit www.collin.edu.