As Program Coordinator for the Northwest Industrial Resource Center (NWIRC) Advanced Manufacturing Apprentice Program, Gretchen Reinard is sort of a matchmaker. Her goal is to find qualified Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) students from regional universities and technical schools to work on specific projects at regional manufacturers. She actively recruits students by attending college career and internship fairs in Western PA and networks with faculty, school departments, and career placement centers encouraging students to submit resumes for future apprenticeships.
Many manufacturers lack the resources to cultivate relationships with regional schools and vet qualified students, so Reinard, along with NWIRC’s Manufacturing Technology Engineer, Michael Griffith, assists with the placement process which sometimes includes identifying a specific project for significant impact at the company and developing a job description.
Northwest PA manufacturers looking to benefit from an apprentice for a 3-6 month project can contact Gretchen Reinard or Michael Griffith at any time. Students looking for an opportunity to make a difference and explore a career in manufacturing, can visit our website for more information, view current opportunities, and submit a resume.