02/19/2025
We would like to welcome our third apprentice from Mueller Company to the Mechatronics Technician Registered Apprenticeship Program! Ryan Caldwell earned an Associate of Applied Science in Electromechanical Technology in August 2024 and began the apprenticeship program in November.
The Mechatronics Technician apprenticeship program requires a minimum of 6000 hours of on-the-job learning and 11 related instruction classes over the three-year program. Caldwell joins two other Mueller apprentices, Jake Kyker and Charles Stringer. Cleveland State's Workforce Development Department serves as the official program sponsor.
A 2018 Bradley Central High School graduate, Caldwell started working at Mueller in 2021. A year later, he decided to pursue his degree at Cleveland State. Working second shift as a maintenance technician, Caldwell could take the morning classes at the college and work at night. Through grants and scholarships such as Tennessee Reconnect, Caldwell was able to attend Cleveland State tuition-free.
“I chose Cleveland State because it was closer to home,” said Caldwell. “That was important to me because I had two sons under the age of four and a full-time job. It was a lot back then to keep all that flowing without any hiccups. Mueller saw my drive to get my degree, so they gave me this apprenticeship opportunity. I couldn’t pass that up.”
Between his work experience at Mueller and his associate degree at Cleveland State, Caldwell received credit for almost 3000 hours of on-the-job learning and nine of the 11 related instruction classes. Upon graduation, he earned an associate degree, electrical and mechanical certificates, as well as the EPA universal certification for HVAC. After completing the apprenticeship program, he will earn an industry-recognized journeyman’s license.
For more information about registered apprenticeship programs, contact Cleveland State Director of Workforce Development, Heather Brown, [email protected] or (423) 614-8793.
