The Montana Department of Labor
& Industry today presented awards to two outstanding apprenticeship
partners to recognize National Registered Apprenticeship Week from November 8
through 14.
Lorren Schlotfeldt, an instructor
at Montana State University-Northern, received the 2020 Montana Registered
Apprenticeship Service Award for his 14 years of providing exceptional
instruction, helping plumbing apprentices pursue successful careers.
As a leader in apprentice
education, MSU-Northern is the recipient of the 2020 Outstanding Education
Partner award for the institution’s role in starting Montana’s first Plumbing
Technology Program and expanding apprenticeship education opportunities across
the state.
“The Montana Registered
Apprenticeship Program continues to provide Montanans with the skills they need
to join high-paying and meaningful careers,”
Acting Commissioner Brenda Nordlund said. “Both of
these awardees have embodied that goal by helping build tomorrow’s workforce
today
.”
MSU-Northern has been instrumental
in providing training to thousands of apprentices in Montana. Since 2004, the
college has offered courses recognized by the Montana Registered Apprenticeship
Program to supplement on-the-job training. The college provides instruction to
28 apprenticeship programs, most entirely online, helping students continue
training opportunities during the ongoing pandemic. Starting the Spring 2021
Semester, MSU-Northern will begin offering apprenticeship education evening
classes in Great Falls, Bozeman and Billings, expanding apprentices’ options
across the state.
Schlotfeldt, an MSU-Northern
graduate and Master Plumber with 16 years of on-the-job experience, has
provided technical instruction to MSU-Northern students since 2005 and plans to
retire at the end of this school year. Since Schlotfeldt joined the program,
student enrollments increased substantially, with over 30 new freshmen
enrolling each year. MSU-Northern holds the only Plumbing Technology Program in
Montana, keeping students in the state as they pursue their training.
With Schlotfedlt’s exceptional instruction, it is ranked as one of the top 10
programs in the U.S.
“It’s been a pleasure to serve the
apprentices and business owners of Montana. The Montana Department of Labor has
been so easy to work with and these programs could not have been as successful
without their guidance and assistance,”
said Schlotfeldt. “Teaching the plumbing program
has been a dream job, and I’m blessed to have been a part of MSU
-Northern’s
team. Being a plumber in Montana has been a rewarding vocation, and I was lucky
enough to teach the future plumbers and help them with their careers.”
This is the second year DLI has
presented awards to apprenticeship partners to celebrate National Registered
Apprenticeship Week. Last year’s awardees were Tri-County Mechanical &
Electrical, Montana Sheet Metal Workers Joint Apprenticeship Training
Committee, and the Montana Health Network. The awards acknowledge and reward
Montana Registered Apprenticeship Program partners and sponsors’ exceptional
work across the state.
The Montana Registered
Apprenticeship Program is an excellent training model that helps employers
build a highly customizable, skilled workforce to meet their business needs. In
Montana, a majority of apprentices remain in the state upon completion. In
turn, apprentices immediately start working and earn a paycheck while
completing the required training and instruction. Upon completion, apprentices
receive an industry-recognized credential that ensures future employers know
the apprentice is qualified. A year after graduation, Montana apprentices earn
an average wage of $58,086, nearly $11,600 higher than the statewide average
wage.
For more information on the Montana
Registered Apprenticeship Program, visit apprenticeship.mt.gov.