In an era of online training, and the ability to get an education without leaving your home, one could question if hands-on training is still a valid course to gain experience and knowledge. For one person, the ability to share knowledge and give education to the next generations, is a daily goal. That one person is Matt Poischbeg, Vice President and General Manager at SEA-LECT Plastics in Everett, Washington.
National Apprenticeship Week (NAW), now in its fifth year, is a nationwide celebration that gives businesses, communities, and educators the opportunity to showcase their apprenticeship programs and apprentices while providing valuable information to career seekers. National Apprenticeship Week 2019 will be held November 11-17, 2019. SEA-LECT Plastics is a recognized business that encourages apprenticeships as a way to foster loyalty in employees, and offer training that can’t be easily found in other industries.
Poischbeg says, “America’s workforce is aging. As our generation of baby boomers begin to retire, they are taking with them a lifetime of skills and expertise, leaving potential gaps in the labor force and a demand for younger, skilled workers. In order to compete in a global economy, employers need employees with increasingly specialized skills, and these employees are continually hard to find and keep. Registered apprenticeships, where employees train under the direction of seasoned journey workers, are one good way that businesses can prepare for the shifting demographics of the workforce. SEA-LECT Plastics joined the Washington State Apprenticeship Program in 2013, due to the shortage of Mold Makers. We were beginning to see a trend that today’s workers are accustomed to holding many jobs with many companies and are comfortable jumping from one employer to the next in search of higher wages, better benefits, and more opportunities. Offering apprenticeships has helped to foster loyalty within our employees, provide a pathway to family wage jobs and provide us with a significant return on investment.”
SEA-LECT Plastics, beyond offering apprenticeships, also offers mentoring and support through Sno-Isle TECH. Sno-Isle TECH is a local technical school that offers classes to area high school students in many industries that allows them to gain initial experience in a future career. The school offers supplemental vocational education in hard to find industries, and career education from tenured teachers that bring decades of real-world experience. On November 7th, the Sno-Isle Tech Skills Center will be holding an event to highlight Apprenticeship Week, and offer local business and students a chance to discuss the future of every supported industry. An industry panel will be offering information on what you can expect to gain from an apprenticeship, you can meet with businesses currently offering apprenticeships, and also enjoy some barbecue while participating in hands-on activities.
SEA-LECT Plastics recently partnered with Sno-Isle Tech and hosted an onsite event at their facility in Everett, Washington to promote Manufacturing Day. Held annually on the first Friday in October, Manufacturing Day is a nation-wide celebration to introduce students to excellent careers at local companies. The goals are to encourage local companies to open their doors to students, parents, teachers and community leaders, and to build ongoing relationships with all stakeholders. SEA-LECT Plastics has been a longtime supporter of Sno-Isle Tech hiring youth apprentices and beyond.
Poischbeg continues, “Apprenticeships allow SEA-LECT Plastics to capture and pass on the knowledge and skills of our foremost craftspeople and give us a great opportunity for a return on investment. The program allows us to formally train our employees at our own facility, on our own equipment, and in our own environment. We can also incorporate current and future training programs that are developed with industry expertise and cutting edge technology. We can mitigate risk with an initial probationary period and also increase productivity from our “home-grown” employees with an environment that fosters loyalty within our highly skilled workers. Any business overlooking the opportunity to offer apprenticeships is really missing the chance to recruit their next generation of high skilled workers and future business leaders. We are always looking for an opportunity with our apprenticeships.”
Anyone currently looking for more information about SEA-LECT Plastics apprenticeship opportunities should call Matt Poischbeg at (425)-339-0288 or email mattp@sealectplastics.com.
Matthias Poischbeg was born and raised in Hamburg, Germany. Matt moved to Everett, Wash., after finishing his bachelor’s degree in business in 1995 to work for Sea-Dog Corporation, a manufacturer, and distributor of marine and rigging hardware established in 1923.
In 1999, Matt took over the reins at Sea-Lect Plastics Corporation, a sister company of Sea-Dog and a manufacturer of plastic injection molded products with an in-house tool & die shop. Matthias Poischbeg is also a contributor to Grit Daily.