Rapid technological changes, an increasingly global economy, and employment’s changing nature require a workforce that is not only trained prior to embarking upon a career but also remains current through lifelong learning. Advanced manufacturing is one of many industries in the United States in which employers face challenges finding sufficient workers with necessary skills. This chapter presents a case study that explores the way the Industrial Manufacturing Technician (IMT) apprenticeship supports workers’ and companies’ needs, focusing on three factors: (1) harnessing the apprenticeship’s potential, (2) implementing it, and (3) future options. Six months after the Labor Institute for Training helped the Benteler Automotive Corporation launch its IMT program, employee turnover declined from 33% to 11%. In addition, the IMT includes inclusive strategies while creating access to wages averaging $24 per hour. The case study shows that developing accessible and equitable apprenticeships for culturally diverse and underserved populations offers a solution to employers and unemployed individuals.
Assessing School-to-Career Pathways for Manufacturing in Rural Communities: Further Investigation of Advanced Manufacturing Programs in Northwest Florida