Banker Steel Leads the Way in Job Creation by Offering New Vocational Career Opportunities for High School Students and Graduates

LYNCHBURG, Va., Feb. 22, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Banker Steel Company has launched two new innovative vocational institutes to accommodate a secondary education leading to a career in steel fabrication. Individuals are extended comprehensive steel fabrication career training that can lead to immediate career employment. As Banker Steel President, Chet McPhatter states, "The goal for Banker is to provide vocational career opportunities for students and adults who want to pursue a trade that gives them the skills, know-how and hands-on experience to become career-ready for our industry."

The vocational training is offered in two institutes: Banker High – For the current high school senior, this training is an unpaid internship that offers them high school credit, welding, fitting and hands-on training. Banker Steel provides all tools and education, with a guaranteed career position upon successfully completing the required skills test. The 12-week, 4-hour per day course, began in January and includes OSHA 10-hour training and blueprint reading as part of their personalized curriculum.

Banker University – For those that have an aptitude but not previous experience in manufacturing / construction, they are eligible for a wage compensated 6-week course. Welding, fitting, and basic blueprint reading are taught and afterwards, a mentor is provided for an extended 2-4 weeks of training. The training is at no cost to the student although the 6-week program must be completed. After 30 days, a full benefits package is then offered.

"Solid trade careers are in high demand. Our programs prepare them to walk right into an entry-level job " said McPhatter. Both programs are providing new jobs for the area, with Banker High utilizing students from local school systems including Amherst County (1 student), Appomattox County (1 student), and Campbell County (6 students) public schools. Jon Hardie, Principal at the Campbell County Technical Center notes, "Campbell County Schools is grateful for the opportunity Banker Steel is providing to our students. When professionals from business and industry work with our schools, teachers, and students to share their knowledge and expertise, it raises the level of education and improves the workforce of the future. For students looking to transition into the workforce after high school as a welder, this is a wonderful program with the opportunity to attain full-time employment with one of the top employers in our region." Banker is providing similar opportunities at their New Jersey facility as well. All jobs created by this program will be filled at plants in Central Virginia, New Jersey, and Florida to serve the American steel fabrication industry.

About Banker Steel

Founded over two decades ago, Banker Steel Company ("Banker Steel") is led by Donald Banker (CEO) and Chet McPhatter (President) and is based in Lynchburg, Virginia. With fabrication facilities in both Lynchburg, Orlando, Florida and South Plainfield, NJ, Banker provides fabricated structural steel and erection services for the East Coast commercial construction market. The company also provides design-assist services and has had the privilege of fabricating steel for design-build projects such as the award winning Washington Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., and the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Banker Steel also operates NYC Constructors – New York City's largest commercial steel erector, and Memco LLC, a large steel and precast concrete erector based in Culpeper, VA. Banker Steel is a majority owned subsidiary of BF Holdings ("BFH"), a portfolio company of Atlas Holdings LLC.

SOURCE Banker Steel