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Apprenticeship & WBL for Advanced Manufacturing
About
Advanced manufacturing companies use work-based learning to help workers become productive experts in the technical aspects of advanced manufacturing machinery and processes.
Apprenticeship and other forms of work-based learning have helped manufacturers respond to multiple staffing and talent challenges, including an aging workforce, constantly changing technologies, and a lack of standardized training. When companies are unable to overcome challenges like those, their workforces become less productive, their profits decline, and they begin to lose their capacity to innovate. But if they have well-designed work-based learning programs, they can attract new workers and provide current employees with opportunities to learn new skills and stay up to date on the latest technological advances.
Our recent study showed that employers who implemented the Industrial Manufacturing Technician (IMT) apprenticeship program had a 48 percent return on investment.
As this chart illustrates, apprenticeship programs exist for a range of manufacturing occupations:
Visit JFF's Center for Apprenticeship & Work-Based Learning
Resources
Resources for WBL in Advanced Manufacturing
Webinar Recording
Women in Skilled Manufacturing Apprenticeships & Careers: An Introduction To Equity and Inclusion
The recordings of this 2-day virtual institute provide manufacturing industry leaders with a unique opportunity to learn about best practices for hiring and retaining women.
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IMT Apprenticeship Provides Positive Return on Investment for Employers
JFF’s new study shows that employers who implemented the Industrial Manufacturing Technician (IMT) Registered Apprenticeship program had an impressive 48 percent return on investment.
Compared with men, women ... do not have the same degree of access to apprenticeships, and their rate of successful completion of these training programs is lower.... But we can change these outcomes.
In the News
JFF Director Myriam Sullivan in “Apprenticeship Helps Women Enter, and Advance in, the Skilled Trades”
Report/Research
The Next-Gen IMT Apprenticeship: A Return on Investment Study
This study measures the business impact of the Industrial Manufacturing Technician Registered Apprenticeship program on six apprenticeship sponsors.
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Bilingual Training Can Lead to Equitable Economic Recovery
With the nation facing an urgent need to redesign workforce and education systems, an innovative program called GOAL can serve as a model that inspires bold leaders to take a new approach to job training.
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Apprenticeship Is Vital to Manufacturing's Post-Pandemic Recovery
As we emerge from the COVID-19 crisis, apprenticeship can play an important role in efforts to foster an equitable economic recovery as a key component of new talent development programs and efforts to retrain or upskill current workers.
Widen the Net: A Sensible Way to Increase the Supply of Skilled Labor in Manufacturing
These promising programs are opening new talent pipelines for the manufacturing industry.
Report/Research
Growing Opportunities in Manufacturing through Bilingual Upskilling
The bilingual GOAL training program provides opportunities for English Language Learners to progress in advanced manufacturing careers.
Report/Research
Giving Manufacturing Career Pathways a LIFT
This book chapter from an upcoming compilation explores the way the Industrial Manufacturing Technician apprenticeship supports workers and companies’ needs.
Case Study/Profile
Work-Based Learning in Action
Work-Based Learning in Action is a series of case studies highlighting effective models of work-based learning.
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JFF WBL Bookshelf: Advanced Manufacturing
Our favorite resources on work-based learning in advanced manufacturing from across the field.
Examples
Advanced Manufacturing WBL Programs
Case Study/Profile
Building Workers' Skills at Ralph H. Simpson Co.
An Illinois manufacturer uses the Industrial Manufacturing Technician apprenticeship program to build its workers’ skills.
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JFF Drives Talent Growth for John Deere
JFF partnered with John Deere to build and deliver a national apprenticeship program for agriculture and equipment technicians and heavy construction equipment mechanics.
Report/Research
IMT Critical to Growth at Hayes Performance Systems
Hayes has a long history as a manufacturer of motorcycle brakes, and it’s seeking to extend that expertise into other automotive markets. For Hayes to diversify successfully, its workers need to be flexible, nimble, and able to learn.
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JFF Supports Lockheed Martin’s Apprentice Workforce
JFF worked with Lockheed Martin to transform an inefficient, state-by-state apprenticeship model into a centralized and streamlined national program.
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Manufacturing Opportunities for All with Lippert’s Apprenticeship Program
Manufacturer Lippert Components offers a bilingual apprenticeship program to help the 33% of their team members who are Latinx reach their fullest potential.
Case Study/Profile
Workforce Development Institute: Teamwork Makes the IMT Dream Work
This profile highlights how WDI, a Michigan intermediary, expands the IMT apprenticeship program through building and maintaining close relationships with employers.
Advanced Manufacturing WBL Participants
Report/Research
Always Growing and Learning: Press Operator Explains The Value Of The IMT Apprenticeship
The AFL-CIO Working for America Institute, in partnership with the Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership/BIG STEP and JFF, developed the Industrial Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship. Its impact is showcased in this profile of a participant in the first IMT apprentice cohort.
Report/Research
Apprentice to Journey Worker: First IMT Registered Apprentice Transforms Her Career
With support from WRTP/ BIG STEP and JFF, manufacturing employers have transformed the skills of their workforce with apprenticeship programs like the Industrial Manufacturing Technician Registered Apprenticeship.
Case Study/Profile
César Barrios: A Career With No Limits
A workforce training program helps a Venezuelan immigrant with an American dream get his motor running.
Report/Research
IMT Accelerates Apprentice's Career Opportunities
As a result of his Industrial Manufacturing Technician apprenticeship, Rick Bostwick is moving up the career ladder at Dayton-Phoenix Group.
Report/Research
José Romero: Scoring with GOAL!
Spanish-language training program provides career opportunities to onetime asylum-seeker.
Case Study/Profile
Sarah Sanchez: New Skills, Innate Abilities
With GOAL, Sarah Sanchez combined her innate abilities with new training to further her career.