Wallace State Machining Graduates Celebrated as Met-South’s First Certified Apprentices Achieve Milestone

HANCEVILLE, AL—Fabian Cervantes and Justin Burnett are halfway through their four-year, 8,000 hour paid apprenticeship program at Met-South in Hanceville. They already have associate in applied science degrees in machining from Wallace State Community College and are well on their way to full time employment and a journeyman’s card upon completing the program.
An event celebrating their significant milestone – 4,000 hours of the program completed – was held at Met-South recently with representatives from the City of Hanceville, North AlabamaWorks, Apprenticeships Alabama, Wallace State and others in attendance.  Their success represents the growing emphasis on apprenticeship programs in Alabama, which have been offered by Wallace State for a number of years already, and the increasing opportunities for such partnerships that community colleges provide.
“Community colleges meet the needs of the businesses and industries we serve,” said Dr. Vicki Karolewics, president of Wallace State. “We build apprenticeships and other programs around those needs. This is a path that students and employers wanted, and they can receive multiple credentials along the way.”
Met-South Office Manager Cathy Jesse and Owner Don Jesse moved their company from Birmingham to Hanceville to be closer to Wallace State so that they could take advantage of the talent pipeline and graduates like these.
“We are very impressed with the program at Wallace State,” said Don Jesse, pointing to the wide-ranging training received on a variety of equipment and processes, from prints to product, but also to the work ethic the program seems to instill.  During the course of their decision to move to Hanceville, the Jesse’s sat down to discuss their employment and training challenges with Wallace State representatives and found a good fit.
“We like to work with employers who support students completing their degree,” said Wallace State machining instructor Gary McMinn, chair of the program, and the Jesses understood that. “Our mission is to help every student succeed. By the fifth semester, 90 percent of our students have jobs.”
The Jesse’s admired the apprenticeship model because it focused on continued hands-on, applied education. “This program prepares them (the apprentices) for a life of learning,” said Don Jesse. “It is a tremendous way to get a steady, trained workforce,” added Cathy Jesse.  “We have been here since January, and these two apprentices have never missed a day of work, often arriving before we do,” she added.
At the completion of the program, Cervantes and Burnett will receive their journeyman’s card and, if all goes well, a job offer.  Both have enjoyed the program, and their work at Met- South.  “It’s a great opportunity to learn more about your trade from someone more experienced,” said Burnett.  “It’s a good program for anyone, and it’s got great benefits,” said Cervantes.
The Met-South certified apprenticeship program and the accomplishments of Cervantes and Burnett are being spotlighted by AlabamaWorks and Apprenticeship Alabama.
For more information about apprenticeships opportunities available through Wallace State, contact Wallace State Career Services at 256. 352.8461 or email jamie.blackmon@wallacestate.edu.

Fabian Cervantes and Justin Burnett are halfway through their four-year apprenticeship at Met-South in Hanceville after completing an associate in applied science degree in machining from Wallace State Community College. Office Manager Cathy Jesse presents them with a plaque commemorating their milestone as Wallace State machining department chair Gary McMinn and Met-South Owner Don Jesse look on.