Huntington resident Dave Lavender is one of the state coordinators for the new AIM WV or Apprenticeship in Motion program that is helping expand the time-tested, industry-approved model of United States Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeships to non-traditional sectors in the Mountain State.
A life-long journalist and community activist, Lavender is embedded within the West Virginia Development Office’s Workforce Training Division in Charleston. Lavender and his colleague Leanne Stowers are helping spread the word among employers, workers, students and potential partners, that US DOL has more than 1,000 apprenticeable occupations that can help companies recruit, train and retain workers since 94 percent of apprentices stay on the job after their apprenticeship.
The AIM WV team has set up apprenticeships that range from Aerospace, solar electricity, and meatcutting to IT, healthcare and even assisting the state’s fastest growing sector – the beverage industry – by building out a brand new Brewer’s Apprenticeship in conjunction with Bridge Valley CTC.
Go online at https://westvirginia.gov/incentives-and-programs/apprenticeship-in-motion/