In the heart of the mid-west, a national telecommunications services firm has found a recipe for success with Registered Apprenticeship. Headquartered in Carmel, Indiana, Telamon is one of Indiana’s largest minority-owned businesses with over 2000 associates. The company was facing workforce challenges including retention and an inefficient workforce composition.
To meet these challenges, Telamon turned to Registered Apprenticeship working with WIA’s Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program (TIRAP), which is recognized by the US Department of Labor.
“Apprenticeships are a powerful tool for bridging the gap between education and employment, said Deb Bennett, WIA’s Vice President of Apprenticeship who leads TIRAP. “They provide hands-on experience and mentorship, equipping individuals with the skills and confidence needed to excel in their careers.”
Working with the TIRAP Team and in coordination with the TIRAP Advisory Committee, a new telecommunications apprenticeship was created which enables apprentices to earn certification through structured training.
Using the established framework via TIRAP, Telamon created the Telamon Installer Academy program. “The Academy is a great jumping off point into the field,” said Cody McAdams, a level III installer with Telamon and an apprentice in the academy. “It gives you the information, the knowledge and a little bit of experience. It is a tool and anyone who is capable of taking advantage of a resource that is given to them will do well.”
“I’m very proud of the Telamon Installer Academy program which is helping us build a robust talent pipeline to secure our future workforce,” said Stan Chen, CEO of Telamon. “Establishing a Registered Apprenticeship program has helped us addresses significant business challenges, including labor shortages, succession planning, and a talent structure imbalance.”
By reducing the dependency on highly experienced level IV installers for entry-level tasks, the apprenticeship program has effectively improved Telamon’s workforce composition and cost efficiency. In 2020, 82% of the workforce consisted of level IV installers; this percentage has now dropped to 61%, with entry- and mid-level apprentices filling the roles.
“The program has proven to be a strategic initiative to advance Telamon’s ability to cultivate new talent through a structured career pathway,” said Kat Gerig, Vice President of Human Resources for Telamon. “Overall, the Telamon Installer Academy has positively impacted workforce development, operational efficiency, and future workforce sustainability.”
The Telamon Installer Academy program has received external recognition and funding, securing $65,000 from the state of Indiana and achieving accreditation as a TIRAP registered apprenticeship program through the U.S . Department of Labor (DOL).
Telamon plans to combine its Academy with continuous improvement efforts focused on refining apprentice promotion criteria, increasing manager engagement, and clarifying job expectations. Together, Telamon believes these are the ingredients needed to recruit and retain the workforce need to do the important work of cultivating deeper connections.
To learn more about the TIRAP framework Telamon used to build its registered apprenticeship program, visit TIRAP.org.
Watch a Video: Telamon CEO Stan Chen interviews Cody and Jordan McAdams about their experiences with the Telamon Installer Academy: https://vimeo.com/1022223888