Manufacturing Apprenticeships

As technology in the manufacturing sector continues to advance, the skills required grow more complex. At the same time, experienced staff from the baby boomer generation are retiring. In response to these challenges, manufacturers are employing apprenticeship programs to train and mentor the highly skilled staff they need for the future.

Apprenticeship programs combine on-the-job learning with related instruction in technical areas to produce qualified, highly productive employees for careers requiring precision skills. Registered apprenticeship programs are designed to move an apprentice from a low or no-skill entry-level position to full occupational proficiency. The MEP National Network^TM can help you identify apprenticeship opportunities, develop customized training and coordinate with local, state and national training partners and apprenticeship programs.

Employees who go through an apprenticeship program tend to be more loyal and are often able to adapt to change and perform tasks more quickly than those not hired from within the company. Ninety-one percent of apprentices stay at the job where they received training, and employers receive an average of $1.47 back in increased productivity for every dollar spent on apprenticeship. Additionally, companies that offer apprenticeships can train employees to operate within their facility’s culture and environment from the onset of the professional relationship.

MEP Centers can help manufacturers assess their skill requirements and connect them with training programs and educational institutions to coordinate the apprenticeship. If you have been considering an apprenticeship program, contact your local MEP Center so you can get moving in the right direction.

Articles on Apprenticeships by MEP National Network Experts

• Apprenticeships and Workforce Development Programs Are Having a Moment
• Apprenticeship Program Offers More Career Pathways, Helps Close the Skills Gap