The Manufacturers’ Association of Emigsville, Pa., recently received a $250,000 state grant to establish a new, registered “Apprenticeship Ecosystem” in southcentral Pennsylvania.
The newly developed ecosystem will support manufacturer apprenticeships in Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Lancaster, Lebanon Perry, and York Counties.
The Apprenticeship Ecosystem will build on the association’s multi-year Apprenticeship Training Program, which currently has more than 80 apprenticeships from more than 30 companies. It will expand employer program participation, increase the number of journey workers, and add apprentices and pre-apprentices.
Secondary objectives of the new program include increasing participation of non-traditional populations that are usually underserved by trades training and aligning available resources more efficiently to better support economic growth in the region.
“We at The Manufacturers’ Association are delighted to again have an opportunity to bring forward our well-recognized Apprentice and skills training programs in supporting an ‘Apprentice Ecosystem’ in southcentral PA,” Brian Paterniti, training manager for The Manufacturers’ Association, said.
The Apprenticeship Training Program has also steadily been expanding its services in recent years, particularly through the creation of the Mentor Training Program, which adds college credit and establishes a high school pre-apprenticeship program to prepare the future skilled workforce.
Additionally, The Manufacturers’ Association has been able to increase the number of trades included in their apprenticeship programs, including toolmakers, machinists, maintenance mechanics, and mechatronics and industrial manufacturing technicians. The association has also submitted an application to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to add a registered automated robotics technician.