Typically, in our monthly newsletter we take the opportunity to speak with clients about their businesses, what makes them tick, and hopefully inspire more entrepreneurs to take the next step. This month we are sharing another Small Business Internship Spotlight, where we highlight businesses taking the initiative to engage our youth workforce.

CEDC: Today we are very excited to add to our youth workforce series by speaking with Stephen Capone, President of Capone Iron Corporation North Woods in Berlin, New Hampshire.

Stephen, tell us about your current businesses efforts to engage our youth workforce.

Stephen: Our Compliance Coordinator/Safety Liaison, Lucie Kinney, a former educator in the Berlin School system, leads the charge for Capone Iron’s internship and apprentice programs.  With her background in education, she has an in-depth understanding of how the programs should be set up to balance the educational needs of the students with the production schedule of Capone Iron.  Lucie has been very proactive in the academic circles with learning about the programs and ensuring that Capone Iron can offer the best possible experience to each student and apprentice.  

CEDC: How many students are here typically? What are their roles?  

Stephen:  We can have anywhere from one student to as many as four at any given time.  They are typically students interested in welding, some progress to fitting of steel while others spend their time with us in the office, usually in our detailing department where they are exposed to reading blueprints, using our industry proprietary software to model projects and working out the details of our inhouse jobs.   

CEDC: What do you feel the company gets out of having interns and what do you think the students get out of it?

Stephen:  The people of Capone Iron enjoy sharing their knowledge in the industry with the curious minds of each student, and we often get the satisfaction of watching the students flourish towards a career in structural steel fabrication.  The students certainly receive the opportunity to test drive a career.  We create a safe, hands-on environment for them where they are exposed to the day-to-day operations of our plant. 

CEDC: Putting the time and effort in to develop our youth is such an important priority if we want to support the future of our communities. I understand you have been working with ApprenticeshipNH as well. What’s next on the horizon for you?

Stephen:  Our goal is to continue developing young people within the steel fabrication industry.  The interns get a taste of what it’s like to work in the steel fabrication space, whether its work done in the office or out in the shop.  The apprenticeship program, which is a paid opportunity, is structured to guide the apprentice through a progressive learning program which develops their skills over a period of time. 

CEDC: Can you share with other businesses some of the financial reimbursement and credits you’re getting from this parternship as well?

Stephen:  For us, it’s not about the financial benefits, it’s about stirring interest in a young generation of craftspeople.  We came to the north country in 2015 with the goal of bringing jobs to an economically challenged area.  We work with Liz Arcieri, the High School Youth Apprentice and Business Outreach Specialist who connects the department of Labor and the community colleges for the ApprenticeshipNH program.  Her email is larcieri@ccsnh.edu and she is more suited to answering questions about the program.

CEDC: This has been amazing to share how a business like yours is taking the time to build our next generation! I hope other businesses will engage and students will get out there and take advantage of these opportunities. Thank you again Stephen for sharing how Capone Iron is doing it and how others can too.

If you an adult or student looking for a great place work, look into Capone Iron Corporation North Woods. To learn more, visit www.caponeiron.com or call 603-752-2800.

For those of you who missed our webinar about this program and training reimbursement and tax credits check out our blog: https://www.coosedc.org/blogcontent/youth-workforce-video

If you would like to have your business featured in our Small Business Spotlight or Internship Spotlight, email us at execdirector@coosedc.org.