Summer 2025 Apprenticeship (Maintenance, Pre-Production, & Structural Design)

Description

Bay Cities, an Employee-Owned Company, is the leading creative packaging and display partner to brand marketers, retailers and e-commerce. Our passion, experience, technology and consumer insights move product and drive sales.

Our Mission

Our Passion Powers Your Product

Our Values

Creativity: Our ideas create Client success.

Passion: We have heart with a Customer Service attitude.

Integrity: We honor our business & planet with sustainable practices.

Responsible: We own it!

Safe: Our safe work habits protect us all.

Fun: We take our work seriously- not ourselves

SUMMARY

Bay Cities is offering hands-on summer apprenticeship opportunities for high school students interested in exploring careers in packaging, design, and production. Apprentices will learn directly from experienced professionals in Structural Design, Maintenance, and Pre-Production & Manufacturing, gaining real-world exposure in a creative and fast-paced environment. These paid roles are designed to inspire future career paths through shadowing, skill-building, and project involvement.

STRUCTURAL DESIGN DEPARTMENT 

As a Structural Design Apprentice, you will shadow the Senior Structural Designer to learn how to create packaging and display structures. You will gain experience in designing point-of-purchase displays and packaging using computer software, while also being involved in prototyping and material selection. This is a great opportunity to work with a team of creative professionals and gain a comprehensive understanding of the design and manufacturing process. 

JOB FUNCTION/PURPOSE

· Shadow the Senior Structural Designer and assist in creating packaging designs and specifications.

· Learn to develop and prepare production-ready designs and specifications for corrugated packaging.

· Assist in prototyping and creating sample designs for customer approval.

· Help prepare materials for testing and quality control.

· Learn the process of selecting materials and testing designs for durability

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES

· High school student with a strong interest in structural design, engineering, or packaging.

· Proficiency in computer programs like Adobe Illustrator or AutoCAD is a plus but not required.

· Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills.

· Creative thinking with an interest in hands-on learning.

· Ability to work well in a collaborative environment.

MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT  

As a Maintenance Apprentice, you will have the opportunity to shadow and learn from the Maintenance department, gaining hands-on experience in maintaining and troubleshooting equipment in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. You will work closely with the team to learn preventive maintenance tasks; help ensure the smooth operation of our production processes and observe how technical challenges are handled. 

JOB FUNCTION/PURPOSE

· Shadow the Capital Projects Manager and assist in day-to-day maintenance operations.

· Learn to perform routine checks and minor repairs on manufacturing equipment.

· Gain knowledge in troubleshooting equipment failures and conducting root cause analysis.

· Assist in maintaining tools and inventory for the maintenance department.

· Learn about safety standards and the importance of maintaining a safe working environment.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES

· High school student with a strong interest in mechanical or electrical systems.

· Excellent communication and teamwork skills.

· Motivated and eager to learn in a hands-on environment.

· Ability to follow directions and adhere to safety protocols.

· Strong problem-solving skills. 

PRE-PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT

As a Pre-Production Apprentice, you will work closely with the Pre-Production Lead, learning how to process orders, monitor workflows, and ensure that all production schedules are met. This apprenticeship will provide you with experience in organizing production plans, understanding scheduling processes, and maintaining communication between departments to help meet customer demands. 

JOB FUNCTION/PURPOSE

· Shadow the Pre-Production Lead to understand how orders are processed and routed.

· Learn how to schedule and assign tasks to production staff.

· Assist with monitoring progress and resolving issues that may arise during production.

· Learn how to maintain quality service and meet production deadlines.

· Help maintain and track department records and inventory.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES

· High school student with a strong interest in production, logistics, or project management.

· Excellent Strong organizational and communication skills.

· Ability to work well in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.

· Willingness to learn and take on new tasks.

· Attention to detail and problem-solving mindset 

Requirements

Core Competencies

· High ethical standards. Models and supports organization’s goals and values; adapts to changing conditions; demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles. Consistently conducts themselves in an honest and trustworthy manner. Does not pursue their own individual objectives to the detriment of company goals. Sets an example for others to follow. Does the right thing.

· Demonstrates enthusiasm for the role and the industry, maintaining a positive and upbeat attitude. Energizes others around them, fosters a sense of teamwork, and brings excitement to the workplace. Always strives to balance work with fun, creating a motivating atmosphere

· Operates with a customer service orientation internally and externally. Works to positively build the Bay Cities brand in everything he/she does. 

· Takes full responsibility for their work and outcomes, always acting as an owner of the business. Demonstrates proactive decision-making and encourages a similar level of responsibility in others. Cultivates a strong sense of belonging within the team and drives positive results.

· Regularly involves others in decisions that affect their job or work environment. Demonstrates co-operation and trust with colleagues and teams across organizational boundaries. Participates as a team player and establishes strong working relationships to deliver positive results.

· Strong project management skills, including the ability to prioritize, balance, and manage multiple efforts with strong results/goal orientation. Uses time effectively, prioritizes and organizes work flow; can orchestrate multiple activities at once. Agility and personal adaptability with the ability to successfully manage multiple priorities with a high sense of urgency in a rapidly changing environment.

· Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work. Learns quickly when facing new problems; a relentless and versatile learner; open to change; strives for continuous improvement of self and processes.

· Excellent communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills with the ability to convey information and ideas in a variety of media, tactful, confident, at all levels, internal and external. Must have strong interpersonal skills and ability to manage multiple projects in a rapidly changing environment. 

OTHER

· US Persons Only (US citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugee or asylee – all require proper identification and documentation).

· Up to 10% local travel.

· Physical and Environmental Requirements: While performing the duties of this job, the apprentice is regularly required to talk or hear. The apprentice will frequently need to stand, sit, and occasionally walk or reach with hands and arms. The apprentice must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and color vision. 

· The work environment includes both office and manufacturing settings, where noise levels are usually moderate.

· Pre-Employment Verifications: Must pass background and reference checks, drug screen, and physical examination prior to employment.

· The apprentice must be at least 16 years of age to be employed in a non-hazardous role, in accordance with California labor laws.

· Apprentices under 18 will not be required to work in hazardous conditions or exceed the maximum allowable work hours as per California state labor laws.