In 2020, David Dowling, CAES Senior Supervisor Manufacturing, was approached with the idea of starting an apprenticeship program at CAES in Lansdale. The goal of the program was to identify new talent and hire entry level Production Test Technicians. After months of structuring the program and working with the Human Resources department, Dowling was able to present the program specifics to the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board for approval, which was granted in early 2021.
The interview and hiring process began that same year. Working with various high schools, tech schools and internal referrals, Dowling was able to spread the word and drum up interest in the program. After many interviews, apprentices were hired into the program to begin their three-year journey.
The apprenticeship program consists of on-the-job training as well as a three-year curriculum of technical training in the basic electronics field. Technical schooling is administered by an outside source through online classes, and apprentices are given time to complete their schooling. This more traditional class format is also paired with learning the day-to-day operations in the antenna testing lab.
Two apprentices hired in the summer of 2021, Damien Bitting and Anthony Seimes, entered the program with little to no experience in RF and Antenna testing. Through hard work and a commitment to learning, they both quickly picked up the necessary new skills.
“The apprenticeship program has allowed me to quickly feel comfortable in the very specialized and complicated field of RF, and has allowed me to have a career that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise,” said Tony Seimes, Production Test Technician II. “I hope to keep learning and developing the base of knowledge I have acquired while being in the program, and as I continue to gain experience, I hope at some point to move into designing and/or engineering new circuits and components to keep the warfighter safe.”
With assistance from experienced Antenna Test Technicians and their cross-training skills, Bitting and Seimes have learned how to perform many types of antenna testing and have been trained in testing in the anechoic chambers to perform patterns and gain on multiple antenna programs. Their skill sets continue to grow with the additional training in other areas of the testing facility.
“The apprenticeship program is an amazing opportunity, and I am sure glad I took it,” said Damien Bitting, Apprentice Production Test Technician. “I fit right in with the rest of the team and enjoy working with them. I see this being a great place to start a career.”
The apprenticeship program at CAES Lansdale supports the business by fostering new talent for the organization and back filling positions due to employee longevity. Currently, CAES is working with the state of Pennsylvania for approval to expand into other areas. Dowling looks forward to other areas of the business implementing the apprenticeship program to promote career development and support the company, its customers and the industry.