Your trainers at ALPLA

Portrait of an ALPLA apprenticeship trainer, dedicated to guiding and supporting apprentices in their professional development.

Dennis Coer, Head of Apprenticeship and Technical Training

Chris Wolfe, Apprenticeship Trainer Mechatronics

Damon Smith, Apprenticeship Trainer Mechatronics

At ALPLA we take the role of a trainer seriously. We leverage the expertise of our technicians, operators, and supervisors already based in Iowa City. When they’re not on the job, all 55 members of our specialty teams come together to assist our three full–time trainers. For our apprentices, this comprehensive approach to classroom learning provides the knowledge needed to excel as an ALPLA Pioneer. Developing relationships with future team members and studying under full-time trainers is just one aspect that sets this program apart.

An ALPLA mechatronics apprenticeship trainer explains a technical concept to an apprentice in a hands-on training environment, demonstrating practical skills in an industrial setting.

Full-time trainers based at our Future Corner in Iowa City approach the program with only the highest level of expertise and dedication – like our Iowa City Pioneers. To ensure they have the right skills to support our apprentices during the learning journey, each trainer went through a series of trainings about communication, visualization, moderation, group dynamics, problem-solving and more. Our trainers act as dedicated mentors responsible for teaching apprentices both the practical and theoretical aspects of the job with the help of state-of-the-art equipment in the facility.

Within our regional trainer network, add-on and full-time trainers can share their experiences and best practices with colleagues from other departments and facilities.

ALPLA’s modern and professionally equipped learning environment, paired with dedicated full-time apprenticeship trainers, is the best place for growth and development.

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The three teaching principles at ALPLA

Our trainers know: No two apprentices are the same. What comes easily to one person can be difficult for another. On average, one trainer supervises three apprentices at ALPLA. A good number to be able to recognize the individual strengths and weaknesses and to successfully guide the apprentices through their apprenticeship according to our three principles.