New program offers training and education for parts sales positions in Concord and Newport
Concord, N.H. (July 8, 2024) – ApprenticeshipNH, a workforce training program of the Community College System of New Hampshire, has partnered with Sanel NAPA, a leading auto parts, heavy-duty truck parts, and body shop supplies distributor in northern New England, to introduce a Parts Salesperson Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP). The goal is to develop much needed frontline talent initially in two of the company’s New Hampshire locations – Concord and Newport – and look towards expanding the program to all company locations throughout New Hampshire.
The two-year program blends on-the-job training in the company’s Concord and Newport locations with education that has the potential to lead to a Management Certificate from NHTI – Concord’s Community College. The Management Certificate program offers a broad background for those seeking careers in many areas of business and all courses are directly applicable to the NHTI’s associate of science degree programs.
“Our apprenticeship is about building a career. It’s not just about a job – it’s about building skills like problem-solving, teamwork, communications and a lot more. It’s also about beginning a career as a parts professional and opening doors to a lifetime of opportunities, whether at Sanel NAPA or in the community,” said David T. Segal, President and COO of Sanel NAPA.
Sanel NAPA contacted ApprenticeshipNH about creating a program to help recruit employees in a competitive labor market. Christi Green, Chief Human Resources Officer at Sanel NAPA, believed the comprehensive nature of the two-year, “earn while you learn” apprenticeship program would attract applicants interested in beginning their careers or transitioning to a new one in the automotive industry.
“ApprenticeshipNH reached out to all their resources and built this program for us within just a few months. We have an incredible collaboration and partnership with them,” she said.
The Sanel NAPA sales apprenticeship reflects the growing popularity of Registered Apprenticeships outside of the construction trades. While construction and manufacturing remain the leading industries for apprenticeships, ApprenticeshipNH, in partnership with the Office of Apprenticeship, is increasingly developing programs in healthcare, behavioral health, education, hospitality, information technology and business.
“Registered Apprenticeships are a great way to develop talent so people have a path forward and companies can hire from within. This is particularly important in a tight labor market,” said Delilah Smith, the ApprenticeshipNH program developer for Sanel NAPA’s RAP.
