Prime Foods and Ivy Tech Community College Partner; Program to Provide Training for New Apprenticeship Program
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Prime Foods, located in Boonville, IN, in partnership with Ivy Tech Community College Evansville campus and with grant funding through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship Building America program, has announced the development and registration of a new apprenticeship program for the occupation of Industrial Maintenance Mechanic.
Founded in 1936 by the Kramer family, Prime Foods produces hard-boiled eggs and on-the-go snacking solutions in southern Indiana. Prime Foods also shares its expertise through private label and contract manufacturing services. Now in its eighth decade, Prime Foods continues to grow through innovation and diversification, exceeding customers’ needs with a company-wide passion for success.
Ivy Tech Community College Evansville is providing the related training required by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) for registered apprenticeship programs. The interdisciplinary workforce technical certificate is customized for the specific needs of the industrial maintenance staff. Scott Derr, an apprenticeship hub navigator for Ivy Tech, worked with Michael Titzer, maintenance manager for Prime Foods, to identify courses specific to their needs.
A registered DOL apprenticeship shows employees that the company culture values training and development. Michael Titzer says that, “finding the right help has been a journey, but it’s also an opportunity for growth. At Prime Foods, as a small family-owned business, we are committed to helping our tenured team members grow professionally. This benefits not only the company but also each individual and their families, creating a positive impact all around.”
Richard Lasher, plant project manager for Prime Foods says “Prime Foods is mindful of our future growth while maintaining a positive Impact in our community. The apprenticeship program allows the Kramer family an opportunity to mentor employees and improve their skills and personal wellbeing.”
Another feature of the apprenticeship is the Ivy Tech Achieve Your Degree (AYD) program. This program allows employers to pay for the courses at Ivy Tech with no upfront cost for students, said Ivy Tech Chancellor Daniela Vidal. “This is a huge benefit for employees, and the employer can set the minimum requirements in which they will pay upon completion of the students’ courses, in alignment with their tuition assistance policies.”
The Apprenticeship Building America grant program is designed to expand and modernize Registered Apprenticeship by increasing the number of programs and apprentices, diversifying the industries that use Registered Apprenticeship and improving the access to and performance of Registered Apprenticeship Programs for underrepresented and underserved communities.
