Gaston Study Abroad Partners with Apprenticeship Program
Gaston’s most recent Study Abroad trip in May 2024 took students to Switzerland, and it included a day trip to visit the plant of one our current apprenticeship partners in St. Niklaus. Originally based in Zurich and started in 1910, Bosch, the electrical engineering and precision mechanics company, opened its Scintilla building in St. Niklaus in 1956. Bosch also has sites in Lincolnton, N.C. and they currently offer apprenticeship opportunities to Gaston students through that location.
Students took a scenic ride of vistas overlooking the Matterhorn Mountain range from Bern to St. Niklaus for the day trip. The Bosch plant was located a mile from the train station giving the group the opportunity for a pleasant walk through the town that features a 19th-century church and many buildings that were post and beam construction on rock foundations.
When the students arrived at the Bosch plant, they were directed to a conference room for refreshments and greeted by top officials in the company, among them assistant to the plant manager, Sarah Ergler, who gave an in-depth presentation about the company and its history. “One thing that we found interesting was related to the production of the jigsaw blades. These are designed and manufactured at the Bosch facility in Switzerland as well as the sister facility in Lincolnton,” said Scotty Brooks, Associate Dean of CTE Programs and Civil Engineering Technology Instructor at Gaston College.
After the presentation, the students toured the multi-floor facility and learned about Bosch’s company apprenticeship program for young workers where all educational expenses are paid. Following the tour, the group enjoyed a lunch hosted by Bosch at their on-site cafeteria before traveling back to Bern.
The 11-day trip included visits to Geneva, Lausanne, Bern, St. Niklaus, Lucerne, and Geneva. The next student study abroad trip will be traveling to Costa Rica this December, and the College is launching Community Travel Programs in Spring 2025 with a two week trip to Paris, Bavaria and Vienna. You can learn more about Gaston’s travel programs at gaston.edu/travel-programs/.
Information about Gaston’s award-winning apprenticeship program can be found at gaston.edu/apprenticeship-321/.
