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Apprenticeships

The Alliance for Working Together was started in 2002 as a small, informal group of manufacturers, who met to discuss topics of interest and as a way to reach out to other manufacturers in the region. Finding skilled workers was quickly identified as one of the top challenges for our manufacturers. Promoting rewarding careers in manufacturing became the core mission of the organization. In 2012, the AWT Foundation became a 501-(c)3 non-profit. The AWT consortium now includes about 150 member companies (and growing) all engaged to work toward the sustainability of manufacturing in our community.

With the help of our strategic partners, the AWT Foundation has placed more than 1,000+ students into manufacturing careers. We have exposed over 300 5th and 6th grade students to careers in local communities. We have facilitated over 1,200 student, teacher, and parent tours of manufacturing facilities. We have been instrumental in access to transportation for manufacturing employees. By 2023, we will have trained 288 apprentices in the Northeast Ohio region.

What does the Apprenticeship Program offer?

For Employers

  • A stable, reliable pipeline
  • Customized training that meets industry standards
  • Increased knowledge transfer through on-the-job learning from an experienced mentor, combined with education courses to support work-based learning
  • Enhanced employee retention
  • A safer workplace

For Employees

  • Job security
  • A journeyman’s certificate
  • Wage increases

What is AWT’s Role?

AWT’s mission: “To promote rewarding manufacturing careers for the long-term growth and sustainability of the manufacturing industry throughout Northeast Ohio.”

AWT developed this apprenticeship model allow all types of companies (small, mid-sized, and large) to participate in apprenticeships and as a 501-c3 non-profit run by businesses leaders, we are able to pivot our program quickly to meet industry needs

About the Apprenticeship Program

What Programs are there?

  • Tool & Die Maker
  • Mold Maker
  • Precision Machinist
  • Tool Programmer/Numerical Control

What do the apprentices learn?

  • Blue Print Reading
  • Autodesk Fusion 360
  • Solidworks
  • Applied Shop Math
  • Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T)
  • Capstone in focused area

Education:

  • The AWT Apprenticeship Program is a blended educational model with online and in-person, expert training
  • In the AWT Apprenticeship Program, there are 25 online courses between 576-612 hours of technical related training. This is an online format, so students can work at their own pace
  • Students will also receive instruction in-person by an AWT Instructor/Industry Expert on Mondays from 3pm-5pm at Auburn Career Center

Requirements for an Employee to be considered

  1. Applicant must be 18 years of age or older
  2. Applicant must be a High School graduate or have a GED
  3. Applicant must be capable of doing the work of an apprentice with or without reasonable accommodation
  4. Applicant must be a current employee of an AWT Foundation Member company
  5. All applicants must take a mechanical aptitude test. The aptitude test will be administered by the AWT Foundation and scored by the AWT Foundation or Bay Institute of Science and Engineering (BISE).
  6. 6 or more unexcused absences or late in prior 6 months or since starting disqualifies the applicant from participating in the Apprentice Program for that selection cycle
Download the
Apprenticeship Program Overview PDF
Download the
Apprenticeship Program PowerPoint
Download the
Apprenticeship Program Application

Frequently Asked Questions of the AWT Apprenticeship Model

What kind of apprenticeships does AWT Offer?

AWT Offers four different apprenticeship occupations including:
1. Tool & Die Maker
2. Mold Maker
3. Precision Machinist
4. Tool Programmer/Numerical Control

What is an O'Net code?

An O’Net Code is the State of Ohio’s number associated with your apprenticeship occupation in order to easily identify the apprenticeship training

What is a RAPIDS Code?

Much like an O’Net Code, the RAPIDS Code is the Department of Labor’s number associated with your apprenticeship occupation in order to easily identify the apprenticeship training

What are the O'NET and RAPIDS Code associated with the AWT Apprenticeship Occupations?

The AWT Apprenticeship Occupation O’NET Codes are as follows:
1. Tool & Die Maker (O’Net Code 51-4111.00)
2. Mold Maker (0’Net Code 51-4111.00)
3. Precision Machinist (O’Net Code 51-4041.00)
4. Tool Programmer/Numerical Control (O’Net code51-4111.00)

The AWT Apprenticeship Occupation RAPIDS Code are as follows:
1. Tool & Die Maker (0586)
2. Mold Maker (0116)
3. Precision Machinist (0296)
4. Tool Programmer/Numerical Control (0690)

Are non-AWT Members able to sign-up an apprentice?

In order to take part in the AWT Apprenticeship program, we do ask that your company becomes an AWT Member. The process for membership is quick and easy. You will just send an additional $250 check payment for your AWT Apprenticeship and we will make you an AWT with full membership benefits.

What is the cost to enroll your employee into the AWT Apprenticeship Program?

The AWT Apprenticeship Program cost is a $2,000 cost per employee per year. If you are not an AWT Member, you will send a check of $2,250 for AWT Membership and the AWT Apprenticeship Program.

For those who may need assistance with the $2,000 AWT Apprenticeship Registration fee, we urge you to apply for TechCred reimbursement of up to $2,000 per employee. The AWT Apprenticeship is recognized as a TechCred Credential.

How does my company receive TechCred reimbursement for AWT Apprenticeship Training?

To receive TechCred reimbursement for the AWT Apprenticeship Program. Fill-out the application here:

https://techcred.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/techcred/apply

and follow the directions provided by AWT and you will receive up to $2,000 in reimbursement from the State of Ohio for upskilling your employee.

What are the best ways to select an employee for the AWT Apprenticeship Program?

One of the benefits of using the AWT Apprenticeship Program is that we help with the apprentice selection process. Our enrollment process ensure that the best candidates are in the AWT Apprenticeship Program and we offer a free consultation with one of our AWT Apprenticeship Manager to discuss apprentice selection best practices.

What are the minimum requirements for an employee to be considered for the AWT Apprenticeship Program?

From the AWT Apprenticeship approved State Standards, “Section 2: APPLICANT QUALIFICATIONS To be allowed to apply for enrollment in this program, an individual must first meet the following requirements:

1) Applicant must be 18 years of age or older
2) Applicant must be a High School graduate or have a GED
3) Applicant must be capable of doing the work of an apprentice with or without reasonable accommodation
4) Applicant must be a current employee of an AWT Foundation Member company
5) All applicants must take a mechanical aptitude test. The aptitude test will be administered by the AWT Foundation and scored by the AWT Foundation or Bay Institute of Science and Engineering (BISE).
6) More than 6 unexcused absences or late in prior 6 months or since starting disqualifies the applicant from participating in the Apprentice Program for that selection cycle”

What is the enrollment procedure for the AWT Apprenticeship?

If you are interested in sponsoring an employee for the AWT Apprenticeship Program, you will follow the five steps below:

1. Have your employee submit the attached AWT Application form to Rachel Metcalf, AWT Program Manager at Rachel_Metcalf@thinkmfg.com

2. The AWT Staff review the application and will schedule 1 hour and 1/2 interview with your employee where they will be interviewed for 30 minutes by an AWT Staff member using the attached interview questions and then complete an online mechanical aptitude test administered and scored by AWT. This interview will also be an opportunity for your employee to ask any questions that they have about the AWT Apprenticeship Program.

3. After the interview, an AWT Foundation Staff member will notify the employee and company of the acceptance into the AWT Apprenticeship Program via email with the following attachments: Employer Acceptance Agreement (Intent-to-Sponsor Letter) form, an apprenticeship agreement form, and apprenticeship registration invoice.

The employer will complete the Intent-to-Sponsor letter and remit payment. Checks can be made payable to the AWT Foundation with “Apprentice” in the memo line.

The applicant will complete the apprenticeship agreement and credit voucher form and return to AWT.

4. The apprentice will complete the OHSA 10 Training provided by Auburn Career Center before the first in-person cohort meeting

5. Complete the TechCred application for reimbursement here: https://techcred.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/techcred

Can my company register more than one employee for the AWT Apprenticeship Program?

Absolutely! Our maximum apprenticeship cohort size for fall of 2020 is 30 apprentices, so please have your employee apply soon!