A co-branded feature by MACNY, NIICA, MVCC, and Indium Corporation
Behind every successful Registered Apprenticeship (RA) program graduate is an unsung hero who helped them get there: their mentor. As we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, we recognize the transformative role of mentors like Julianne Burchill, whose guidance significantly impacts the lives of apprentices. New York State Department of Labor rules stipulate that each apprentice is assigned a mentor who works on their shift and helps them navigate questions or concerns that arise during their program.
Mentors are considered experts in their skilled trade, although they may not be Journey Workers. That’s not the case for Julianne Burchill of Indium Corporation. As an Industrial Manufacturing Technician (IMT) Journey Worker from Indium Corporation’s first cohort of IMT apprentices, Julianne became a mentor to an IMT apprentice from the second cohort.
Indium Corporation, a premier materials refiner, smelter, manufacturer, and supplier to the global electronics, semiconductor, thin-film, and thermal management markets, launched an RA program at its Upstate New York facilities in late 2021. Under the program, which is a group sponsored by MACNY, The Manufacturers’ Association as part of the National Institute for Industry and Career Advancement’s (NIICA) Growing Apprenticeship in Nanotechnology and Semiconductors (GAINS) program, Indium Corporation registered its first cohort of IMT apprentices, Julianne’s class, in March 2022. This collaboration between MACNY, NIICA, Mohawk Valley Community College, and Indium Corporation highlights the power of partnerships to build robust workforce pipelines, offering critical pathways to high-quality careers in advanced manufacturing.
As one of eight Indium Corporation apprentices to complete the program in October 2023, Julianne recognized the significance of her achievement and the opportunity offered by her employer. Burchill states, “I felt so honored once I graduated from the apprenticeship program and got my certificate, not because I was able to accomplish it, but because I appreciated the fact that I was picked to participate in it.”
With her Journey Worker credential achieved, Julianne remained interested in the continuation of Indium Corporation’s apprenticeship program. It was then that she noticed one of Cohort 2’s apprentices had an experienced mentor, whose skills on the job kept them too busy to devote the necessary attention their apprentice needed. Julianne stepped up to the plate and offered to be his mentor. When asked why she did that, she said, “I really wanted this guy to make it through the full program and be able to feel the accomplishment that I did.”
Julianne knew that becoming a mentor was something she wanted to do after completing her program. Having gone through the program herself, Julianne understood how challenging it can be to work full-time and attend class simultaneously. She knew she could be there for someone, understanding what they were going through. “I wanted to make sure that I could be there for someone to help push them through the hard times. I love to encourage people to not give up on a goal that they are working towards that will better them for the future.”
As with everything in life, being a mentor comes with its challenges, but Julianne reminds herself never to give up. When the mentee has a question or issue, she tries to answer it as best she can. Her role is to help make things a little easier and help them better understand what is to come. Having gone through this herself, she can really put herself in their shoes and be the support they need.
Julianne’s apprentice, Bryant Platt, completed his apprenticeship program at the end of August 2024. “I honestly think I was more excited than he was! I was so proud of him for sticking with it and working through the semesters.” He put in long hours of work and class time to reach this accomplishment, and it’s a proud moment that both mentor and apprentice can feel accomplished about. “My apprentice is so amazing; he is young, and now he has something amazing to put on a resume. Now he can be proud of everything he has accomplished and see how far he has come.”
This isn’t the end of Julianne’s job as a mentor for the RA programs at Indium Corporation. She wants to continue to mentor others and encourage them to take something of value from this program. Julianne notes her gratitude for this program, something she will never forget. “I have many awards and certificates on my wall now, and every time I have a rough day, I always look at those and remember that I have put my all into those classes and my job in general.”
Julianne could have stopped at the completion of her program, but as she said, “She did it; she knows what to expect.” Her insight will only help guide future apprentices to the same success.
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