Growing STEM: GROB offering electrical training as part of apprenticeship program

When figuring out what career path he would like to take in life, Jahim Montano found that a visit to GROB Systems, Inc. in Bluffton helped him pick a path slightly different than his original plans.

"I was originally going to go into automotive, and then I got invited to go on a tour here, and I ended up doing it," said Montano. "I thought that it would be a good environment to be in right after high school, so I ended up coming here."

Montano is currently in the electrical pathway at GROB, where apprentices learn skills like print reading and wiring in the facility's electrical lab. Montano is now learning to work with computers to control different types of machines.

"I work with the software program - right now I'm currently training there, I just got placed there - I'm using the TIA (Totally Integrated Automation) software program, and my job is basically to control machines with computers," said Montano. "Coming here I knew absolutely nothing, but they taught me a lot. I'm in electrical, so I've learned all about wiring, programming, and all that stuff. I learned a little about mechanical work too, through the Rhodes College courses that we took."

Electrical is just one of two career pathways that GROB apprentices can choose from, and after hands-on training alongside regular employees and graduating from Rhodes State College, those apprentices could find themselves in one of several departments, including panel assembly and working with robots.

Montano says that anyone considering working in a field like electrical work should think about an apprenticeship through GROB.

"I think apprenticeship programs and programs like this are very beneficial for people that are just coming out of high school, because it's not coming out of your pocket too much, and you'll have a career lined up for you right out of high school."

For more information on the GROB apprenticeship program, you can visit their website.