Apprentice of the Year Award

At our 9th Annual Ice Gala, we were proud to recognize not one, but two outstanding apprentices who have demonstrated extraordinary dedication, innovation, and commitment to excellence in their careers. Please join us in congratulating our 2024 Apprentices of the Year:

Nathan Hetrick
Mechatronics Apprentice Graduate, Foerster Instruments
Nathan’s passion for improving his company’s business model is evident in his proactive mindset and constant pursuit of knowledge. His attention to detail and consistently positive attitude have made him a standout role model in the apprenticeship program. Congratulations, Nathan, on your well-earned recognition!

Christian Hostetler
1st-Year Sales Engineer Apprentice, General Carbide
Despite a demanding schedule, Christian stands out through his commitment to continuous improvement and innovation. His ability to connect classroom learning with real-world applications has earned him the admiration of his peers and mentors. Congratulations, Christian, on your exceptional achievements!

We extend heartfelt thanks to all our nominees and apprentices—your passion and hard work are the foundation of our program's success.

Special thanks to our 2024 judges:

• Dominic Eisenbeiser – CEO, Simon Autohaus GmbH
• Janet Ward – Executive Director, Westmoreland-Fayette Workforce Development Board
• Marshall Palmer – Apprenticeship & Training Representative, Apprenticeship & Training Office
• Pamela Streich – Executive Director, Workforce Solutions for North Central PA
• Dr. Harley Ramsey – Superintendent, St. Marys Area School District
• Thomas Fest – COO, SMS Group
• Sven Anacker – Production Director, Bayer U.S. LLC

At our 8th Annual Ice Gala on March 3rd, 2023, we honored Wayne Clark as our Apprentice of the Year! This award is presented to an apprentice who demonstrates an exceptional work ethic and leadership—qualities Wayne fully embodies.

About Wayne:
Wayne is a dedicated and efficient team player who has consistently exceeded expectations. His trainer noted that Wayne handled the highest number of customer requests while maintaining a response time significantly below the company average. Wayne’s commitment to customer service and team success makes him a shining example of what an apprentice can achieve.

Thank you to our 2023 judges:

• Astrid Friedrich – Head of International Department, Chamber of Skilled Crafts of South Thuringia
• Janet Ward – Executive Director, Westmoreland-Fayette Workforce Development Board
• David Winkler – Vice President of Finance, Allegheny Performance Plastics
• Craig Critchfield – General Manager, Röchling Machined Plastics

At our 7th Annual Ice Gala on March 4th, we proudly presented the Apprentice of the Year Award to Mason Montgomery!

About Mason:
A 3rd-year Polymer Processing Technician at Ensinger, Mason has pursued knowledge with enthusiasm from day one. He is eager to understand both the technical and organizational aspects of manufacturing, adapts seamlessly across teams, and shares his experience with new apprentices and business leaders. In class, Mason demonstrates strong academic commitment and mentors younger students.

Thank you to our 2022 judges:

• Tara Loew – Director, Apprenticeship & Training Office, PA Dept. of Labor & Industry
• Jeremy Anderson – President, Data and Automation
• Joanna Papada – Vice President of External & Government Relations, Manchester Bidwell Corporation
• Jamison Morse – Director of Structures Division, PVE
• Edgar Largaespada – Director of Industry Strategy, Partner4Work Pittsburgh

At our 6th Annual Ice Gala, we honored Brice Williams of VEKA Inc. as our Apprentice of the Year. The award recognizes exceptional skills and performance both in the workplace and classroom.

About Brice:
Brice was described by his trainer as a driven individual who consistently gets the job done right. His problem-solving abilities and leadership qualities often led others to mistake him for a seasoned technician. Brice's excellent communication skills and proactive mindset made him a true role model.

Selection process:
Apprentices were nominated by company trainers, reviewed by their instructors at the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC), and finally evaluated by a panel of judges from industry, workforce development, and education.

Judges for 2021:

• Carol Wooten – Schools That Can
• Christopher Martin – Bosch Research and Technology Center
• Ami Gatts – Southwest Corner Workforce Development Board

The Apprentice of the Year Award recognizes exceptional performance in and out of the classroom. In 2020, we had an exact tie—congratulations to Andrew Knez (Ensinger) and Jacob Graleski (Impact Guard)!

About Andrew:
Andrew is a dependable, self-motivated apprentice with strong contributions in electrical, mechanical, and fabrication tasks. He is known for his leadership, efficiency, and ability to manage tasks effectively.

About Jacob:
Jacob is committed to self-improvement, often researching beyond expectations to optimize repair processes and reduce costs. His instructor noted his habit of exploring multiple solutions—an impressive sign of critical thinking.

2020 Judges:

• Callan Wilcox – VP, Commercial Banking Executive, Bank of America
• Jackie Foor – Director of Organizational Advancement, Consortium for Public Education
• Carol Kilko – Deputy Secretary, PA Dept. of Community & Economic Development
• John Tkach – Director of Projects, Keystone Development Partnership

We were proud to present our first-ever Apprentice of the Year Award to Andrew Johnson!

About Andrew:
As the very first apprentice in our pilot program with VEKA Inc., Andrew played a key role in shaping and promoting our apprenticeship model. His dedication, constructive feedback, and mentorship helped recruit new apprentices and improve the program’s structure. We appreciate Andrew’s consistent commitment, kind nature, and the positive example he sets for others.