So what does it mean to be apprentice? An apprenticeship is an industry-driven, high-quality career pathway where employers can develop and prepare their future workforce, while individuals can obtain paid work experience, classroom instruction, and a portable, nationally-recognized credential. Apprenticeship programs provide critical talent pipeline that can help to address our nation’s pressing workforce challenges such as rebuilding our country’s infrastructure.

These programs have become more than just a training avenue; they are a strategic imperative for businesses aiming to meet government requirements and cultivate a skilled workforce. With evolving industry standards and the demand for specialized skills on the rise, apprenticeships serve as a vital bridge between education and the labor workforce. A list of trades that IPS is signatory to are shown on our website here.

https://www.apprenticeship.gov/national-apprenticeship-week

Residing in Northwest Ohio for over 150 years, Ransom & Randolph manufactures innovative products for industrial foundries, dental labs, art casters, and jewelry manufacturers. Their building houses manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, quality testing laboratories, and several offices. Products made at the Maumee production facility are shipped to over 50 countries worldwide. Due to strategic acquisitions over the past several years, R&R’s jewelry product line expanded to include former Kerr jewelry investment brands and the Dentsply Sirona lab products line including dental investments, gypsums, hydrocolloids, and equipment. These additions, coupled with the growth of existing product lines, prompted the need for increased capacity.

“We are excited to see this project come to life. Expanding the Maumee facility allows us to grow our product offerings while we continue to provide industry leading customer service and order fulfillment to our customers,” says Daniel Nixon, President at R&R. Read the full press release here: https://www.ransom-randolph.com/rr-maumee-facility-expansion

In addition to celebrating the contributions of trade workers, #NationalSkilledTradesDay also promotes the importance of training and education in these areas. These jobs require specialized knowledge and skills, and often involve safety hazards and complex systems and equipment. Training and education are essential for ensuring that workers have the skills and knowledge necessary to perform their jobs safely and effectively.

As a union contractor, it is important we inform and encourage the younger generation of why the trades could be a rewarding and successful career path, so we’ve gathered a list of our local union affiliates: https://www.ipscontractor.com/careers/trades/

Why the skilled trades?

1. High Demand: Skilled trades are in high demand across many industries, particularly in fields such as construction, manufacturing, and transportation. As the population grows and infrastructure needs expand, skilled workers are needed to build, maintain and repair buildings, roads, bridges, and other structures.
2. Career Opportunities: Offer a range of career opportunities, from apprenticeships to supervisory roles. These jobs often offer good wages and benefits, and many workers in skilled trades are able to earn a good living without a college degree.
3. Contribution to the Economy: Play a critical role in the economy by producing goods and services, creating jobs, and driving economic growth.
4. Job Security: Many skilled trades jobs are less likely to be outsourced or automated, providing greater job security for workers.
5. Personal Satisfaction: Often offer the opportunity to work with one’s hands and to see the results of one’s labor. Many workers in skilled trades report a high level of job satisfaction and pride in their work.

Phoenix Technologies International, LLC, the leading rPET manufacturer, has been developing and cultivating circular economy by its state-of-the-art technology to reuse PET waste bottles into high value added products. 

After this expansion by mid 2023, they expect to double their recycled PET (rPET) resin capacity to 140 million pounds (64,000MT) annually, processing 5 billion bottles a year. The expansion will consist of process technology that is known and tested throughout the industry and will allow Phoenix to support the increasing customer demand immediately at startup.

As North American brands increase their support of sustainable materials, this is a natural next step in their manufacturing evolution and will provide the most comprehensive strategies to their customers in meeting future sustainability targets. With global climate changes, the long term opportunity and challenge for FENC is to be carbon neutral. FENC’s goal is to reduce emissions 20% by 2025, 40% by 2030 and commit to achieving net zero by 2050 by enhancing energy efficiency, developing renewable energy and utilizing CCUS technology.

We’re excited to chosen as the design build partner along with Matrix Technologies Inc!