Spotlights

Company:

BASF Environmental Catalyst and Metal Solutions (ECMS)

Location:

Seneca, SC

Industry:

Precious Metals Refining

Apprenticed Occupation:

Production Technician

Education Provider:

Tri-County Technical College

Since launching its apprenticeship program for Production Technicians in 2021, BASF ECMS has built a robust pipeline of skilled employees. Designed for individuals without manufacturing experience, the program has transitioned diverse hires from fields like military service, food service, and retail into thriving manufacturing careers. Apprentices receive critical certifications, including OSHA 10, White Belt Six Sigma, and a Process Technology certificate, along with a U.S. Department of Labor apprenticeship credential. The program is unique in its employer-led curriculum, which is tailored to BASF ECMS Seneca’s site-specific processes and technology.

One of the many successes that BASF ECMS has experienced as a result of their registered apprenticeship program is an increased retention rate of their apprenticeship graduates. The apprenticeship was created for a position that had previously been somewhat difficult to find and retain qualified workers for. Today, with the increased retention rates of the apprentices, BASF ECMS Seneca is finding itself in a new position: they are choosing to decrease the number of apprenticeship cohorts they are hosting each year from two to one because they no longer have as many vacancies for this role. Additionally, several apprentices have advanced into new roles or been promoted since completing the program, further demonstrating its effectiveness.