For over 50 years, All Weather Architectural Aluminum (All Weather) has supported the commercial and high-end residential construction market on the West Coast with high quality, energy efficient, custom aluminum windows and doors.
All Weather launched its first annual Manufacturing Apprenticeship Program this past summer. The apprenticeship program was designed to create a career pathway for graduating high school students who are mechanically inclined but are not immediately pursuing a college degree.
Five high school students—Anthony De La Cruz, Armijo High School; Nancy Hernandez, Vacaville High School; Victor Lopez, Will C. Wood High School; Gabriel Campana, Will C. Wood High School; and Chase Scott, Will C. Wood High School—were chosen for and graduated from All Weather’s inaugural manufacturing apprenticeship program.
Held at the company’s headquarters and manufacturing facility at 777 Aldridge Road, Vacaville, Calif., the annual 12-week paid apprenticeship program began in mid-June and ended in mid-September.
Over the course of the 12-week paid program, each apprentice received extensive on-the-job training, exposure to multiple departments, performance reviews and weekly group training sessions for topics like Lean Manufacturing, HR, Safety, Purchasing, and New Product Development.
“The goal of this training is to help them see the big picture – how the work they do in one department has such a significant impact on the rest of our company and our customers,” notes Jason Wright, plant manager for All Weather. The 12-week paid program helped the apprentices identify areas within the company that might be the best fit for them, and to develop networks and connections throughout the company.
Unlike the popular television show “The Apprentice,” no one was “Fired.” In fact, after completing the program, all five of the graduating apprentices were offered full-time positions at All Weather. Jobs at All Weather offer long term career advancement opportunities, competitive pay, full benefits package and training and development opportunities.
“We feel there is a mutual need to create a clear pathway for our local youth to join Vacaville’s manufacturing community,” comments Sarah Harper, president of All Weather. “ As employers, we are always trying to find new ways to find and attract motivated employees to join our team.”
