- Johnathan Harper is hired as a Reliability Technician after completing Michelin’s Youth Apprenticeship and Technical Scholars programs
- Harper is the first student to complete both programs and become a full-time employee
Greenville, S.C., June 9, 2021 — Michelin hired the first Youth Apprentice as a full-time employee at its passenger tire facility in Greenville, SC. Harper was among the inaugural class of Michelin Youth Apprentices after the program was established in 2018.
Youth Apprentices work with a mentor in a Michelin facility to complement their career center classes with a real-world application of their studies.
As a Mechatronics student at the Golden Strip Career Center, Harper applied hands-on learning from his classes during his time as an apprentice in the highly skilled machine maintenance department. Harper joined Michelin leaders during the official signing day ceremony for the program’s national certification at the U.S. Department of Labor in 2019.
After successfully completing the Youth Apprenticeship Program, Michelin sponsored Harper’s continued education at Greenville Technical College through the Michelin’s Technical Scholars Program. As a Tech Scholar, Harper worked with the maintenance team to continue preparing for a highly competitive Reliability Technician role.
“For Michelin, our Youth Apprenticeship and our Tech Scholars programs are strategic and important programs that introduce young people to manufacturing careers and fill the rapidly changing workforce needs at Michelin and in our communities,” said David Stafford, vice president of human resources for Michelin North America. “Johnathan has completed both programs with excellence and serves as an ambassador and role model for his peers and colleagues.”
Harper was joined by his mother, coworkers, former educators and Michelin leadership for a celebration to honor his achievements and continued career with the Company. During the program, he was presented with a special award in honor of his results-driven approach to leadership.
For more information on Michelin’s workforce development programs, visit jobs.michelinman.com.