Enoch Precision Machining

John Rhodes, Enoch’s Director of Manufacturing and Engineering, had been searching for a new Limited Maintenance Electrician (LME) for three years when he received an invite to attend an informational session about Registered Apprenticeship for businesses. Recognizing the need for qualified applicants, John attended the meeting to learn more.

“People are hard to find, especially skilled people,” said John. “We did have a journeyman-level LME on staff, but he was preparing to retire. We felt the best way [to find a replacement] was to hire an individual that was mechanically inclined to do maintenance and then have them apprentice for the LME.” Now that they have the ability to structure their own apprenticeship program, John foresees a future where Enoch can build a qualified workforce to fit their company’s specific needs.

The advanced technology of Enoch’s machinery requires specialized training to operate. In order to fill positions with qualified candidates, Enoch can benefit from a customized training program that targets the exact skills needed to operate this cutting-edge technology.

“The apprenticeship gives us the ability to have a more in-depth training process,” said John. “Skilled labor in machining and LMEs are very difficult to find. So this is a way to home grow our own.” The ability to train machinists to have the exact skills they need is critical to Enoch, but John recognizes the mutually beneficial aspect of apprenticeship for the apprentices themselves. “The employer gets the skilled employee at the end of it, but for the employee themselves, it gives them a goal that they can work towards,” he said. Apprenticeship provides clear levels of progression with monetary gain as new skills and experience are attained. This progression, John said, builds confidence as time goes on.

“I do highly recommend [apprenticeship] for anyone that is looking for skilled labor,” said John. “You can basically groom [apprentices] the way you want to, but it’s also very structured as they go along.”

It’s not easy to find the ideal candidate when qualifications are unique and skills must be learned. Registered Apprenticeship is laying the groundwork for Enoch to build a skilled workforce tailored to their needs. With the right training, apprentices at Enoch will advance in their skills and careers, continuing the legacy of a family-owned, quality-driven company. For Enoch Precision Machining, Registered Apprenticeship:

• Provides a customized training program that will develop ideal employees
• Creates candidates for positions that are difficult to fill
• Helps new employees build skills and confidence as they progress

Ready to manufacture your own Registered Apprenticeship program? Contact an Apprenticeship Business Representative at 971-235-6289 or ATDemail@boli.state.or.us.