Becoming a journeyworker is a major milestone. It is one that represents commitment, growth, and hard-earned skill. For one Indium Corporation employee, obtaining journeyworker status twice in a little over three years is a true testament to hard work and determination. It shows that putting in the work and going that extra mile really pays off.
Indium Corporation, located in the Mohawk Valley, is a true champion for Registered Apprenticeship. Under MACNY sponsorship and in collaboration from the National Institute for Industry and Career Advancement's (NIICA) Growing Apprenticeship in Nanotechnology and Semiconductors (GAINS) program, Indium utilizes five different trades across their four locations. Launching its Registered Apprenticeship Program in 2022, Indium enrolled a cohort of employees in the Industrial Manufacturing Technician (IMT) trade. This is where Brianna Bouck began her apprenticeship journey, one that would eventually lead her to be the first Indium employee under MACNY sponsorship to hold two journeyworker certificates in IMT and eventually Quality Assurance Auditor (QAA).
Bri began her career at Indium almost six years ago, starting in the production department, moved to Quality, where she excelled in her roles, advancing from QA Tech I to QA Tech II to Group Leader. Today, using the skills she's learned through apprenticeship, she supports the engineering department, ensuring customer requirements are met and helping to create essential CAD files.
This professional growth was the result of Bri's commitment and desire to excel. Becoming a journeyworker means working full-time while taking classes at the local community college, Mohawk Valley Community College. It's a lot of work to do once, imagine going through that program twice. When she encountered challenges, Bri didn't throw in the towel; she leaned in. "I feel a sense of accomplishment, pride, and satisfaction becoming a journeyworker not just once, but twice," she said. "It makes me feel like more of an asset to the company I work for."
"The first trade was an awesome experience that made me want to experience it again," says Bri, describing what fueled her decision to pursue the second trade. While she was already familiar with the structure and expectations of the program, that didn't mean she coasted. She pushed herself even harder. "I approached this apprenticeship with more confidence than the IMT apprenticeship. I got to take classes that I knew would help me grow and bring more to my team."
Enrolling in back-to-back apprenticeships meant leveling up her technical skills. From learning how to make CAD files to utilizing SolidWorks and understanding casting and rolling processes, the knowledge she gained directly applies to her role within the engineering department. "I feel like joining a second trade taught me so much. Everything I've learned, I now use on the job."
Bri made this journey look easy, but that wasn't always the case. One semester, she doubled up on classes which included lectures and labs, all while working full-time and caring for her kids. "It was a lot sometimes," she admits, "but I persevered." Her perseverance paid off, earning a spot on the President's List for her academic excellence.
So, what advice would she give to others thinking about taking on a second trade? "Do it. It's worth it. It's an opportunity that not everyone is lucky enough to receive and the feeling you get is amazing knowing you accomplished such a big thing."
Looking ahead, she's not rushing into a third trade just yet. Her focus is on applying what she's learned and growing her impact within the company. She is, however, looking forward to the chance to give back. "I can see myself mentoring others in the future. Helping someone become a Registered Apprentice, sharing what I've learned, that excites me."
Publish Date: 03/05/2026