McKinley, Inc., one of the nation’s largest residential and commercial real estate development companies, called upon Washtenaw Community College to help train building maintenance professionals for employment at the company’s apartment and housing units around the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area.
A three-week paid Maintenance Apprenticeship Program began on April 16. The training program was designed by the WCC Workforce Development department and led by WCC instructors on-site at McKinley properties.
Those selected to join the program will transition into a maintenance technician role with McKinley upon successful completion, receiving an entry-level hourly wage and a benefits package for those who meet minimum qualifications.
“This partnership will allow us to cultivate and grow talent in our workforce and, at the same time, give back to our community that we are invested in by providing education and careers,” said Will Epps, Associate Vice President of Operations at McKinley.
The program includes 20 hours of WCC instructor-led classes per week that will focus on grounds maintenance, appliance repair, drywall installation and patching, basic plumbing and electrical repair and painting.
“Our Workforce Development team put together 60 hours of professional-level classroom instruction that we’re eager to take out to McKinley properties,” said Niko Dawson, WCC’s Dean of Economic and Community Development.
“We believe we’ve put together a program that will develop the solid roster of maintenance professionals McKinley needs to provide high-quality service to its residents and give job seekers a jumpstart to finding a long and successful career.”
Tags: April 2018, Community enrichment, On The Record, Workforce Development, ousearch_News_On The Record, training