CMAC Transportation is proud to announce the official launch of our Maintenance Apprentice Program.
The CMAC Maintenance Department is among the best in the business - they are an integral part of our operations and ensure our drivers are able to safely do their jobs with reliable equipment. Our technicians are led by 4 veteran mechanics, boasting decades of experience, and accolades like becoming Master Certified Mechanics.
We have such an incredible team and want to maintain and improve upon that quality level for years to come, and that means investing in the next generation of technicians. The Maintenance Apprentice Program was instituted for aspiring young people with little or no experience to come in, build the skill set needed, gain on-the-job experience, and learn from our in-house experts.
The Maintenance Apprentice Program is a 3-year program where apprentices will start-out performing and learning the fundamentals of the job, and build on that foundation so that at the end of 3 years they have achieved the equivalent of a modified trade-school certification. CMAC Leadership designed this program so that each apprentice would be able to develop well-rounded knowledge and the specific skill set necessary to work in the Maintenance Department for a trucking carrier.
The quality and content of the Maintenance Apprentice Program is the result of the entire department coming together and dedicating their time, knowledge, and expertise in developing the curriculum. Two of our top supervisors, Matt Wade and Gordon McCue (Certified Master Mechanic), were integral in applying their experience gained through a career in the industry. Through the combined efforts of our team of in-house experts, the Maintenance Apprentice Program provides an opportunity for the next generation of CMAC Technicians to develop all of the skills they need to continue the legacy of success set forth by those like Gordon and Matt.
The program includes comprehensive professional development. Each year apprentices are required to get one state certification:
Year 1: Braking
Year 2: Suspension and Steering
Year 3: Electrical
The specific certifications were chosen to align with the progression of skillset in the program curriculum. At the end of 3 years, Apprentice Program Graduates will only be 4 certifications away from becoming Master Certified Mechanics.
Another issue Jason and his team were conscious of when developing the program is the need for mechanics to have tools. At smaller companies, it is impossible to get started without tools - and that is a big investment. As a part of the Maintenance Apprentice Program, CMAC will provide each apprentice with a $1,000 kit filled with all of the essentials to get started. Once they have completed the first year of the program, they will receive an additional $500 tool allowance and then another $500 allowance at the end of year 2.
As the apprentices work through the program, their compensation will reflect their experience, knowledge, and certifications gained. Apprentices have all of the benefits of full-time employees, plus guaranteed annual pay increases as long as they complete all program requirements. Apprentices
will be paid to match their experience.
“We are incredibly proud to launch the new Maintenance Apprentice Program,” says CMAC Owner and President, Scott Christie, “This program will allow CMAC to maintain and continue to improve upon the already high-quality work from our Maintenance Department while providing an opportunity for hard-working young people to develop the foundation of their careers. We are excited about the future success of this program.”
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