John Vontran, Program Manager of the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training program joins Danko Arlington President John Danko and Machine Shop Superintendent Mike Allen with Jonathan Hite — the company’s newest apprentice.
March 21, 2019. Danko Arlington is excited to announce that Mr. Jonathan Hite, a 2018 Dunbar High School graduate, is the company’s first CNC apprentice in twenty-three years. Danko Arlington recruited Mr. Hite at Mayor Pugh’s High School Job Fair held at the Baltimore War Memorial Plaza last May. The company recently reinstated its apprenticeship program in September 2018 with the help of the Maryland Manufacturing Extensions Partnership (MDMEP).
Hard to believe that Danko Arlington’s apprenticeship program literally skipped a generation. Well, then again, its not surprising. As we all know, parents of millenials passed over potential blue-collar vocations for their kids — a college education was the preferred route for certain success. Companies also at that time had the luxury to hire from a middle-aged skilled workforce rather than start from scratch. Today, those workers have retired or are near retirement, and companies can’t find qualified applicants to fill key jobs.
It’s also not surprising then that manufacturing companies like Danko Arlington are turning back to apprenticeships to train new hires in this booming economy – especially for complex jobs like CNC machining. Yes, machines and robots have compensated for the much labor attrition, however, new automated equipment now requires a new type of apprenticeship training. Danko Arlington’s apprenticeship program started in 1940. Obviously, the program has significantly changed since that time and even from twenty-three years ago. For example, instruction in additive manufacturing or 3-D printing, something unheard of in the past, is now an integral part of the new curriculum.
The company is certain that more apprentices will follow Mr. Hite. No doubt, word will get out and the company will replenish its manufacturing operation with careers for a lifetime. We just hope the old-guard stays long enough to bridge the gap.
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