Youngstown, OHIO – The Greater Oh-Penn Manufacturing Apprenticeship Network’s (The Network) created a group sponsored apprenticeship model, which is now available to additional manufacturers interested in training machinists. This U.S. Department of Labor grant provides reimbursement funding to companies located in the Network’s 14 county region (Ashtabula, Columbiana, Geauga, Mahoning, Portage, and Trumbull in Ohio, as well as Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango, and Warren in Pennsylvania). Companies that join the group model early are eligible for a reimbursement of up to $6,000 per apprentice.
“Employers often express how overwhelming administering an apprenticeship program can be,” said Jessica Borza, The Network’s Project Lead. “Manufacturers from through the 14 counties led the effort to create common standards and curriculum by working together.”
The group sponsored model is focused on machining and experienced staff is available to assist a company to:
- Understand the registered apprenticeship training model
- Identify existing models for the occupations employers need
- Connect you with appropriate resources to assist with your program
- Draft Standards of Apprenticeship, on-the-job training, and classroom instruction outlines based upon your input
- Submit your registration paperwork to the state apprenticeship agency for full recognition in the National Registered Apprenticeship System
- Assist you with program updates as your workforce needs evolve
Bill Hilbert Jr., president of Reddog Industries and former chairman of the Manufacturer & Business Association Board of Governors, has become an early adopter of the group sponsored model apprenticeship due to its strong staff support. “Quite frankly, The Network staff held our hand through the process; and we were relieved to find that many of the things we needed to develop were readily available,” said Hilbert. “It was a little bit scary at first not knowing what exactly we would need to start a qualified apprenticeship program, but we found the group process to be quick and efficient.”
Companies that register a new apprenticeship program and sign-up for The Network’s group sponsored model by September 30 are eligible for a $6,000 reimbursement. After September 30th, companies will be eligible for a $5,000 reimbursement.
More information can be found at http://www.industryneedsyou.com/apprenticeships/, and questions can be sent to J Diane Karlin at dkarlin@tpma-inc.com or Megan Wagner Ingram at mingram@tpma-inc.com.
