The
Montana Department of Labor & Industry (DLI) today commended Montana
Registered Apprenticeship program sponsor Hybrid Steel Design for being named
Montana’s Young Entrepreneur-Owned Small Business of 2020 by the U.S. Small
Business Administration (SBA).
“This
award shows the positive impact apprenticeship has on building the success of
small businesses across our state,”
Registered Apprenticeship Director Jay Reardon said. “As the Montana economy
continues its phased reopening, we encourage Montanans to consider
apprenticeship. Apprenticeships provide Montanans with an opportunity to expand
into new and diverse occupations, while earning a paycheck and gaining the
skills employers need to grow their businesses.”
The SBA Montana
District Office presents the award each year to Montana businesses owned by
entrepreneurs under the age of 35.
Hybrid Steel Design is a welding, fabrication, and
millwright firm, started by owner Levi Clark in 2012. The company started a new
Montana Registered Apprenticeship program in 2019 and currently has one welder
apprentice.
“The
[Montana Registered Apprenticeship] program allowed us to tailor fit the skills
that we use regularly to train employees to our specific needs. We are not the
typical welding, fabrication, and millwright company,”
said Ashley Clark, Hybrid Steel
CFO.
“The services we provide include much more than just welding and
millwright. We have used the apprenticeship model to teach our values of
quality, teamwork, safety, and overall presence and rapport.”
About
the Montana Registered Apprenticeship Program:
The
Montana Registered Apprenticeship Program is an excellent training model that
assists employers in building a highly customizable, skilled and loyal
workforce to meet their business needs. In Montana, 90% of apprentices remain
in the state upon completion of their program. Apprentices immediately start
working and earn a paycheck while completing the required training and
instruction. Upon completion, apprentices receive an industry-recognized
credential that demonstrates that the apprentice is qualified. In Montana,
apprentices who complete their program earn an average of over $63,000
annually, $20,000 higher than the statewide average wage.
For more
information on the Montana Registered Apprenticeship Program, visit
apprenticeship.mt.gov.