Wiregrass and Wild Adventures signed apprenticeship with three Wild Adventures employees. Pictured l-r Wiregrass Director of Economic Development Bill Tillman, Wiregrass President Dr. Tina K. Anderson, Wiregrass Executive Director of Departmental Affairs Nicole West, Wild Adventures Apprentice Micheal Torres, Wild Adventures Apprentice Chris Longstreet, Wild Adventures Apprentice John Hall Wild Adventures Assistant General Manager Jon Vigue, Wild Adventures Senior Director of Maintenance and Zoological Operations Barrett Byers.
Valdosta, GA – Wiregrass Georgia Technical College and Wild Adventures are partnering to provide an apprenticeship opportunity for Wild Adventures employees receiving training through Wiregrass’ Economic Development. The apprenticeship program is a method of training individuals in a trade using a combination of on-the-job skills development and classroom/lab related instruction.
John Hall, Chris Longstreet, and Micheal Torres are part of the custom-designed maintenance technician apprenticeship program at Wiregrass and Wild Adventures is providing positions as Industrial Maintenance Mechanics. This custom program was possible thanks to an American Apprenticeship Initiative (AAI) Grant that allows technical colleges like Wiregrass to train workers in field. These funds are being used for apprenticeship enhancement opportunities related to ten approved programs of study that are covered under the Georgia HOPE Career Grant. The AAI grant funding is being used to work with area businesses like Wild Adventures to train current employees who register as apprentices through Wiregrass. The Wild Adventures apprentices will receive training in Industrial Maintenance by way of a non-credit, contract training agreement between Wiregrass Economic Development and Wild Adventures.
The apprenticeship program has proven to benefit business and industry in recruiting, training, and retaining highly skilled workers. Partnering with the college in hiring students through the apprenticeship program has also shown a reduction in turnover costs, higher productivity, and a more diverse workforce.
If your business would like to learn more about the apprenticeship program, please contact Nicole West, Executive Director of Departmental Affairs. She can be reached at nicole.west@wiregrass.edu, or by calling 229-249-4837.
Wild Adventures located in Valdosta, Georgia is a Theme Park, Waterpark, and Animal Park. Guest enjoy thrilling rides and roller coasters for all ages, hundreds of exotic animals, shows, and all-star concerts each season.
There are over seven majors that qualify for the HOPE Career Grant, and several of those programs are on the approved apprenticeship list. Eligible students could have their college tuition and fees completely covered by the HOPE Grant and the HOPE Career Grant! Visit www.wiregrass.edu to learn more about the programs Wiregrass offers. The college is accepting new students for Fall Express term, classes start September 23.
