The Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center (MAMC) will receive more than $7 million from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to develop and accelerate manufacturing apprenticeship programs nationwide, federal officials recently announced.
MAMC’s new Apprenticeship Works Manufacturing National Hub will establish a National Training Academy in West Virginia to rapidly launch new apprenticeship programs while providing resources and support to ensure the programs’ success. The hub’s objectives are to collaborate with industry partners to develop new occupational standards and training to meet the evolving needs of the U.S. manufacturing sector; provide technical assistance to make it easier for manufacturers to establish, maintain and grow registered apprenticeship programs to bridge critical skills gaps in American manufacturing; train employers to overcome workforce shortages by recruiting individuals from groups traditionally underrepresented in the manufacturing sector; boost the number of pre-apprenticeship programs to create a pipeline of skilled talent to feed into registered apprenticeships; and expand the program to other industry hubs across the country.
Services will be provided at no cost to employers.
“At Marshall University, we believe that education goes beyond the classroom. Hands-on apprenticeships are crucial in equipping the next generation with the practical skills and real-world experience they need to excel in today’s competitive job market,” says Marshall University president Brad D. Smith. “This funding, which aligns with our Marshall plan to advance six areas of distinction, including advanced manufacturing, significantly enhances our apprenticeship program and establishes a hub for cutting-edge training. Congratulations to everyone involved in this remarkable achievement!”
With DOL backing, MAMC launched Apprenticeship Works in 2016 to scale nationwide the unique apprenticeship model it developed for a major manufacturer with operations in the Mountain State. Since then, MAMC has helped manufacturers in 22 states – including West Virginia – establish, implement and manage DOL-registered apprenticeship programs.
“The DOL has been a strong supporter of our apprenticeship program from day one,” says MAMC director Derek Scarbro. “This new award is a testament to the success of our innovative apprenticeship program.”
MAMC will leverage partnerships with a variety of public and private entities to implement the new apprenticeship initiative, including educational institutions such as Marshall University and West Virginia State University; industry partners such as the Industrial Fasteners Institute, Composites Institute, Modular Building Institute and the Appalachian Ohio Manufacturers Coalition; and local and national companies of all sizes.
“A highly skilled workforce boosts the nation’s economic competitiveness and national security,” Scarbro says. “Estimates are that up to 2.1 million manufacturing jobs could go unfilled by 2030 because of a lack of skilled talent. We believe our Apprenticeship Works Manufacturing National Hub creates a roadmap for bridging this skills gap.”
To learn more about how MAMC can assist with your company’s workforce needs, contact Carol Howerton, director of Workforce Development Programs, at 304-781-1680 or carol.howerton@mfg.marshall.edu.
