The Pre-Apprenticeship Program at General Carbide

“General Carbide Corporation wanted to reach potential new employees that were sitting in classrooms planning their future and/ or individuals in the community that wanted new opportunities. Recruiting after the pandemic has changed drastically; in response General Carbide became highly invested in the community and the next generation of manufacturing employees – those that are sitting in high school classes wondering what their next steps might be. We are continually looking at ways to bring legitimacy to the trades and promote the manufacturing trades as long, viable careers for life. All of this is possible right here in Westmoreland County. This is what keeps General Carbide strong for decades to come and what keeps our community growing.”

Mona Pappafava-Ray; President/CEO of General Carbide Corporation

Wendy Jorgenson and JoAnne Finoli; Greensburg-Salem German American Chamber of Commerce Pre-Apprenticeship Coordinators “ The Pre-Apprenticeship program at General Carbide has been an invaluable learning experience for Greensburg Salem High School students. It has been a pleasure to work with the General Carbide staff as our students have gained much practical knowledge about the industry. Students were afforded the opportunity to take on significant responsibility including work-readiness skills employer’s desire. The pre-apprentices were provided depth of knowledge at General Carbide not gained in the classroom alone. The pre-apprentices are paid employees who produce high-quality work while they are learning skills that enhance General Carbide’s needs.”

Mr. Jose Estevez; School/Career Counselor Jeannette City School District - “The Jeannette School District appreciates the genuine effort from General Carbide to identify the right fit employees. General carbide provides our students opportunities to do a job that our society needs and the chance to begin a career path to sustain family life. Our community feels fortunate for the partnership and the prospect of redefining what is possible with General Carbide.”

Mr. Alexander Novickoff; CWCTC Assistant Director of Workforce Education - “Central Westmoreland Career and Technology Center is proud to partner with General Carbide. Working together, CWCTC and GC have created a relationship that invests in students before they ever enter the workforce. CWCTC students are offered on-site tours of General Carbide. The managers of each one of the plants demonstrated the extent of the manufacturing process there and were able to interact with the students during those tours. Those discussions have resulted in job offers from General Carbide and multiple inquiries about other possible candidates from a number of CWCTC programs. General Carbide also engages with CWCTC at the institutional level, being a primary sponsor of our Board Reorganization Dinner and sitting on various committees and comprehensive planning teams. General Carbide has been a vital partner to CWCTC and plans for growing that relationship are ongoing.”