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lansingchamber.org FOCUS ON TALENT
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Three New Apprentices Join Bekum America’s

Award-Winning Apprenticeship Program

ekum America’s Apprenticeship program has machine builder discipline. For the next four years, they
been working for nearly three decades to provide will receive on-site training and begin working towards a
Byoung people interested in skilled trades, with degree. When they complete the program, these young
the education and experience they need for the future. people will be DOL Registered Journeymen and have
Bekum recently accepted three new apprentices to begin no student loan debt. Many graduates of this program
the four-year award-winning program. decide to continue to pursue an undergraduate degree
while continuing a full-time position at Bekum America.
The apprenticeship program works to mold apprentices
into talented Journeymen through hands-on experience “Bekum’s Apprenticeship Program was an awesome
at Bekum America, working for 8000 total hours and opportunity,” said Glen Hile, one of the first graduating
completing 59 credits of college level courses at Lansing apprentices in the program. “The opportunity to get a
Community College, provided by Bekum. Once the free education with no debt appealed to me. I was able to
apprentice completes the program, they receive a start my adult life with a stable income and even bought
Journeyman’s certificate from the US Department of my first house at 20.”
Labor (DOL).
Bekum established its Apprenticeship Program in 1994.
“We are thrilled to welcome young talented students into In May of 2000, it graduated the two youngest, active
our award-winning Apprenticeship Program,” said Steve journeymen in the United States. Since the program’s
London, president and Chief Operating Officer. “Many of inception, 69 apprentices have come through the
our best employees started out in this program, and we program, with 15 apprentices currently in the program,
look forward to seeing our new apprentices learn and including those newly signed, and 16 graduates actively
become leaders in the industry.” employed at Bekum.

This year, Timothy Calhoun joined the program in the For more information about Bekum America’s
Machinist discipline, Ashton Gauthier signed on in the apprenticeship program, visit bekumamerica.com/
electrical discipline and Jason Szilagyi joined in the careers/apprenticeships. l

Chamber Events Your Connection to Professional Development
and Networking Success
From professional development to networking, the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce
hosts events to fit every need. A full list of events is located on the Chamber Calendar on the
LRCC website.

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