Mentor, OH (06/15/2020) – The Alliance for Working Together (AWT) Foundation would like to announce the beginning of the AWT Apprenticeship Program, which is a collaborative effort of the AWT Foundation, Lakeland Community College, Mentor Public Schools, Lake Shore Compact, and Auburn Career Center. Our community recognizes the need for skilled manufacturing workers and would like to strengthen our manufacturing workforce through apprenticeship training. The AWT apprenticeship offers a reliable pipeline of skilled workers, customized training that meets industry standards, and increased knowledge transfer through on-the-job learning.
The AWT Foundation is looking forward to offering two programs, the pre-apprenticeship model and the traditional apprenticeship model. The Pre-Apprenticeship Model will target high school students and will be provided by Mentor Public Schools and Lakeshore Compact. Participating in this program will take a year off of a traditional apprenticeship model and align with apprentice training in Northeast Ohio.
The traditional AWT Apprenticeship Model will target adults and incumbent workers. The AWT apprenticeship program is a blended educational model with online and in-person, expert training. In the AWT Apprenticeship Program, there will be 25 online courses for technical related training, the online format allows students to work at their own pace. Apprentices will also receive in-person instruction by an AWT Instructor/Industry Expert, Mondays from 3pm to 5pm at Auburn Career Center. AWT offers four different apprenticeship occupations including: precision machinist, tool programmer/numerical control, tool & die maker, and mold maker. The cost of enrollment in the AWT Apprenticeship program is $2,000 per employee per year and through the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation’s TechCred Program, employers who submit successful TechCred applications will be reimbursed up to $2,000 per credential when current or prospective employees complete their training.
“I am extremely proud of the AWT Foundation members and our community–we have come together to create one of the most innovative apprenticeship models in Northeast Ohio. This program is business-driven to ensure that we are meeting business workforce needs and equipping our apprentices to be leaders in the manufacturing industry. I hope this collaborative effort between businesses, higher education institutions, K-12 education providers, career and technical education centers, and non-profits demonstrates the power of community led initiatives,” stated Juliana Petti, Executive Director of the AWT Foundation.
Dr. Joe Glavan, CTE Coordinator for Mentor schools, discussed the impact on students in high school and stated “The creation of pre-apprenticeship program is another excellent way to ensure our students are being trained with skills today for the jobs of tomorrow. Students who meet our Pre-Apprenticeship Program requirements will earn a state of Ohio Apprenticeship Council Recognized Pre-Apprenticeship Program Certificate of Completion which is a 12 point valued credential, earn substantial articulated credit towards an apprenticeship, and earn articulated college credit with one of our many college partners which include Lakeland, Tri-C, Kent State University, and Akron University.”
“We are excited for adult students and incumbent apprentices to have access to this amazing opportunity,” said Barb Friedt, dean for applied studies. “Those who participate will also have the option to take general education courses at Lakeland concurrently so they can work toward an associate of applied science degree. Once they complete their apprenticeship, they can complete the remaining technical courses at Lakeland to fulfill degree requirements.”
Dr. Glavan also discussed local collaboration and stated “I look forward to continuing to collaborate with AWT as we work to unify our approach to address the workforce skills gap in Ohio. Through alignment of education, business, and government collaborating together, we can strengthen workforce pathways to rewarding careers for community members and ultimately help create a stronger northeast Ohio.”
For more information or to enroll your employee in the AWT Apprenticeship today, contact us at contact@thinkmfg.com