Milton Hershey School Students Tour Hershey Plant as Part of Pre-Apprenticeship Program

Milton Hershey School Pre-Apprenticeship Program students recently connected classroom lessons to real-world experiences.

After a two-week program, 12 MHS students earned three industry-standard certifications: Occupational Safety and Health Administration 10, State Certified Pre-Apprenticeship Credential, and Manufacturing Applied Technology Course Completion. The Hershey Company employees then showed students how the skills they learned are used to make candy enjoyed around the world.

MHS conducted the Pre-Apprenticeship Program with the Manufacturers’ Association of South Central Pennsylvania (MASCP) and The Hershey Company. The opportunity exposed students to the different skill sets necessary to succeed in manufacturing.

At The Hershey Company’s West Hershey plant, staff gave students an inside look into how they make HERSHEY’S KISSES candy and HERSHEY’S Chocolate Syrup. MHS senior Omar Perdomo said he was especially impressed with how proud The Hershey Company employees are of their work.

“They really respect their consumers,” Omar said. “Everything must be perfect and if anything goes wrong, they start over.”

Omar and classmate Shyonna Nicks noticed Hershey employees practice lean manufacturing, which focuses on minimizing waste while maximizing productivity. Omar and Shyonna learned about lean manufacturing through the Pre-Apprenticeship Program.

“They are very organized and value safety above everything else,” Shyonna said.

Additionally, employees stressed the importance of clear communication, problem-solving skills, and a strong work ethic. They reminded students that former The Hershey Company CEO Bill Dearden was an MHS student. Dearden adjusted his goals to become the company’s top executive.

“If you close your mind to your area of expertise, you are robbing yourself and robbing the people around you,” John Baker, The Hershey Company bar line supervisor, said. “There are so many different talents that you could have that we need.”

The Hershey Company partners with the MHS Career and Technical Education (CTE) program to offer students real-world experiences. Hershey community partnerships support the school’s mission and actively engage with students.