SOUTH CHARLESTON, W. Va. – BridgeValley Community & Technical College is proud to welcome six Dow apprentices into its Process Technology Associate of Applied Science (AAS) program.
Process Technology is the field of study behind the operation of the equipment and systems used to manufacture chemicals, plastics, fuels and other materials found in everyday products. Students in the program learn how to safely monitor and control industrial processes, troubleshoot equipment, read instrumentation and respond to changing conditions on a production floor, skills that translate directly into roles as process technicians at chemical, refining and manufacturing facilities.
As Dow apprentices, the students will split their time between classroom instruction and hands-on training at Dow’s operations, working alongside experienced professionals to learn the equipment and procedures specific to Dow’s facilities. Through the apprenticeship, Dow covers tuition, books and fees while participants earn a full-time wage.
“Our partnership with Dow reflects exactly the kind of workforce development our region needs, connecting students with real opportunities and employers with the skilled talent they’re looking for,” said Kristi Sarrett, Dean of Workforce and Technical Education at BridgeValley.
“Apprenticeships provide an opportunity to develop the technical skills our industry needs while giving participants a strong foundation for long-term career growth,” said Josh Cloud, Senior Analytical, Early Career and Learning Leader at Dow. “Our partnership with BridgeValley brings together hands-on experience and classroom education, helping prepare the next generation of skilled professionals here in West Virginia.”
“Partnerships like this one with Dow are exactly what BridgeValley is built for, preparing students for real careers while helping employers grow the skilled workforce our region depends on,” said BridgeValley President Dr. Chris Treadway. “We’re proud to give these apprentices a path to a degree with their tuition, books and fees covered while preparing them for a future in process technology right here in South Charleston.”
Apprenticeships have become an increasingly valuable pathway for students pursuing skilled careers, offering an opportunity to enter the workforce while continuing their education.
That pathway extends beyond Dow apprentices. Through the West Virginia Community and Technical College System’s STAND (Skilled Trades Apprenticeship Nontraditional Degree) Program, eligible current apprentices and those who have completed registered apprenticeships can apply their training toward an Associate of Applied Science degree at BridgeValley.
The program recognizes the education and hands-on training apprentices already receive and provides funding toward the general education coursework needed to complete the degree. Eligible participants can receive funding for tuition and approved fees for up to 21 credits of general education requirements, helping skilled tradespeople turn the training and experience they have already earned into a college credential.
“At BridgeValley, we believe an apprenticeship is more than a way into the workforce. It’s the foundation of a degree waiting to be finished,” said President Treadway. “Whether it’s through a partnership like the one with Dow or a program like STAND, we’re committed to meeting skilled workers where they are and helping them turn the experience they’ve already earned into a credential that opens even more doors.”
For more information about Dow apprenticeship opportunities, visit https://buff.ly/ZEpqzYd.
To learn more about BridgeValley’s Process Technology program, visit https://www.bridgevalley.edu/academics/workforce-technical/process-technology.html.
To learn more about the STAND program, visit www.cfwv.com/financial-aid/stand/.