KCS Students Selected for Dow Apprenticeship

KCS Students Selected for Dow Apprenticeship
Posted on 05/18/2022

Kanawha County Schools extends its congratulations to Caden Hill from Nitro High School and Olivia Starcher from Saint Albans High School for their selection to be part of Dow Chemical’s local Process Tech Apprenticeship Program. 

Dow Chemical introduced the Process Tech Apprenticeship Program to its West Virginia Operations in 2018. The program is designed to hire those who have the potential to eventually become, after completing the apprenticeship, permanent chemical operators in Dow’s Kanawha Valley operating locations. The apprenticeship pays for each employee's tuition cost to attend Bridge Valley Community and Technical College where they are enrolled in the school's Process Technology degree program. In addition to covering the total school costs, the program also provides the employees a guaranteed 40-hour a week salary as well as benefits. When the apprentices are not in class, they are in one of the area plants performing on the job training. After successfully completing their degree and training requirements each may be highly considered for a permanent full-time position with the company.

“We sincerely congratulate these KCS students for their selection into this incredible program,” said Tom Williams, Superintendent of Kanawha County Schools. “We thank Dow Chemical for creating this opportunity and we know that it is truly changing lives for many of our students here in Kanawha County and throughout the area. This is another example of a K-12/business partnership that is training students for available jobs and keeping our young people here in the Kanawha Valley.”

The 2022 candidate pool was the largest and most competitive since the program’s inception. 

More information on the apprenticeship can be found at: https://corporate.dow.com/en-us/careers/apprenticeships.html or https://westvirginia.gov/dow-chemical-west-virginia-operations-rolls-out-apprenticeship-program/. KCS counselors distribute information about the Dow Apprenticeship program at each high school in the Fall. Interested students apply and are reviewed and selected each Spring. High school seniors are eligible to apply. 

Pictured below: Caden Hill, Nitro High School / Olivia Starcher, St. Albans High School

Caden HillOlivia Starcher

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