Central Georgia Technical College will be the learning site of a new training apprenticeship for Interfor Corporation, announced in an event at the College’s Macon campus on Wednesday.

The three-year program entitled the Millwright Apprenticeship Program, supports career development at Interfor sawmills across the southern United States. Additionally, the program addresses the current workforce shortage of millwrights, and ensures that Interfor will have skilled employees to handle equipment maintenance at its mills; thus improving efficiencies, ensuring safety, and mitigating quality issues.

“The Millwright Apprenticeship Program is an investment into our people and our infrastructure that aligns with our business strategy to build value by delivering operational excellence,” said Interfor senior vice president of Human Resources, Mark Stock.

CGTC is one of three learning partners supporting the apprenticeship. The College will offer classroom space for an interactive theory component delivered by the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology and training from Georgia-based Charles Black & Associates.

Ann Lear, the director of Business and Industry Training at CGTC, completed an ACT WorkKeys Curriculum Profile that will also aide Interfor in screening for eligible program candidates.

Twenty-seven Interfor employees were selected – enabling them to earn while they learn, without having to leave their homes and families for extended periods of time.

The final component of the program is mentored, on-the-job work experience throughout the entire three years.

The program is open to Interfor’s maintenance and production employees in its mills in Georgia, South Carolina and Arkansas. Upon completion, apprentices will receive a Journey worker certificate. Training begins June 5, with additional intakes once per year.

This program is Interfor’s first U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeship program. The Company is working with state and local economic development offices to secure funding. Interfor’s involvement with CGTC stems from a partnership with the College’s Office of Economic Development.

Interfor hopes the success of the Millwright Apprenticeship Program will expand apprenticeship training to other positions in the future.