Alcoa gives Trident Tech $100,000 for apprentice program

Alcoa Mt. Holly has announced it is giving Trident Technical College a $100,000 grant to continue its support of the college’s apprenticeship program.

“The apprenticeship programs benefit not only Alcoa Mt. Holly but many industries in our region,” said Mark Dunlay, president and plant manager. “We rely on them to provide us with a work force that is ready to compete on the world stage in the future.”

Trident Technical College’s apprenticeship program is an in-house training program that follows standards set by the company. It aims to develop soft skills, such as industrial safety, communication, quality control and computer skills.

“This grant will help us purchase additional equipment to enhance the training of apprentices in the electrical, mechanical and production technologist apprenticeship,” said Trident Tech President Mary Thornley. “The Alcoa Corp. and TTC will share this apprenticeship model for replication.”

Since 2006, the Alcoa Foundation has given $400,000 to Trident Tech for skills labs, programs and curriculum for industrial maintenance and production.