Process technician first to complete BASF’s apprenticeship program at Chattanooga site
CHATTANOOGA, TN, September 25, 2023 – Samuel Blackwell recently became the first person to complete BASF’s apprenticeship program at the company’s Chattanooga, Tennessee site, finishing 12 months of on-the-job training and education. The program is part of BASF’s North American Apprenticeship Development Program, which aims to meet future talent needs for a skilled and diverse technician workforce. Upon completion of the program, Blackwell was offered and accepted a full-time process technician role at BASF’s Chattanooga site.
“The apprenticeship gave me great insight into manufacturing and provided me the opportunity to connect in-class learning with my job responsibilities,” said Blackwell. “I appreciate BASF and Chattanooga State Community College for supporting me through this process and I’m excited about beginning my career at BASF.”
BASF launched the apprenticeship program in August 2022 through a partnership with Chattanooga State Community College. The program pays apprentices a full-time wage for time spent on the job and in the classroom. In addition to paying a competitive salary, BASF offers full medical, dental and vision benefits, paid vacation and covers the cost of tuition, books and fees associated with earning a certificate in Chemical Engineering Technology. At the end of the program, apprentices have the skills and credentials for an opportunity to be placed in permanent BASF positions with annual merit increases and bonuses.
“I’m proud of Samuel for not only being the first apprentice at the Chattanooga site, but for seeing it through and completing the program,” said Brittany Davis, Operations Manager at BASF in Chattanooga. “He has set the tone for all other apprentices who join the program and will be a great resource to everyone who follows in his path.”
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, apprenticeship programs bring about many benefits, including enhanced employee retention, a safer workplace, a stable and reliable pipeline of qualified workers and a systematic approach to training, which ensures that employees are prepared and certified to produce at the highest skill levels required.
BASF is currently accepting applications for apprentices in Chattanooga. Visit www.basf.us/tn to apply or learn more about the program, or attend an open house at Chattanooga State Community College on October 16 from 4 – 7 p.m. in the Center for Engineering Technology, Arts & Sciences building.
About BASF
BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has approximately 16,000 employees in North America and had sales of $25.7 billion in 2022. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.com/us.
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. More than 111,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €87.3 billion in 2022. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. Further information at www.basf.com.
