FROM STAFF REPORTS

Six Shelby County students graduated from the Mercedes-Benz Apprenticeship program near the end of the spring semester.

Those students included: Poojit Ravikumar of Oak Mountain High School, Robert Brent Robertson of Thompson High School and School of Technology and Daris Townsend of Thompson High School, all in the production program; Alex Ingram of Shelby County High School and School of Technology, Robert Smith of SCHS and SOT, Brandon Jeffrey White of Pelham High School, all in the industrial maintenance.

Bill Taylor, president of Mercedes, addressed the group at their graduation ceremony. He told the students that they were in the number one apprenticeship program in the state. He also reminded them to use their skills to stay safe, take pride in their work and keep learning.

These programs are the equivalent of a $45,000 scholarship from Mercedes. The students received their educational and skills training and were paid an hourly wage while they were in the program. This program is provided through Alabama Industrial Development Training