October 2019
Happy Manufacturing Day from the Skills Team at GACC
Today's Manufacturing Day marks the eighth annual celebration of our dynamic and high-tech field, when industry leaders across the country open their doors to show what manufacturing is really about. We are so grateful to be part of a network of companies and educational institutions committed to fueling the next generation of highly trained manufacturers. 

September saw two of our flagship programs round out record-breaking years and add a new Network Company. Our colleagues at GACC South also hosted their annual National Skills Conference , where leaders in the industry as well as government officials discussed German-style apprenticeships as a solution for developing a skilled workforce.

The month ahead offers more opportunities to strategize the implementation of apprenticeships in your area. Our Recruiting Roundtable, a study trip to Germany, and our deadline for registering Spring 2020 apprentices are all fast approaching, not to mention prime outreach season for apprenticeship candidates!

We hope to see you at an upcoming event!



Kind regards,

Director, Skills Initiative & Apprenticeship Programs
With the start of this year’s fall cohort, the MAT² and ICATT Apprenticeship Programs each tallied a record number of apprentices enrolled in a calendar year. 56 apprentices started with ICATT in 2019, and 55 with MAT². Both programs have set their sights even higher for 2020 as we endeavor to close the skills gap, one apprentice at a time. 

Click here to learn more about the ICATT Apprenticeship Program and the MAT 2 Apprenticeship Program.
We are looking forward to enrolling our second-ever ICATT Apprenticeship Program spring cohort, set to begin in January of 2020 at selected colleges. As of last year, companies no longer need to wait until the fall to start training highly skilled employees for the future.

If you would like to register an apprentice for the spring, please contact Joshua Seeberg by November 15, 2019.
As high school seniors begin to plan their futures, our recruiting staff are spreading the word about apprenticeships at the high-tech manufacturing companies in our network . Our teams will be presenting at high schools and running tables at career fairs. We invite companies to take part in our local outreach visits to meet quality apprentice candidates directly!

Contact Lee Wickham (ICATT) or Bernadette Duncan (MAT²) for details about outreach efforts near you!
Schattdecor Inc. is located in Maryland Heights, MO, and provides the global woodworking and furniture industry with printed decor paper, finish foils and melamine film.

As the newest addition to the ICATT Network, Schattdecor is offering apprentice positions for Advanced Manufacturing Technicians.

For more information about the ICATT Apprenticeship Program , please contact Joshua Seeberg.
All ICATT Network Companies and educators are invited to our Recruiting Roundtable next Tuesday, October 8. Presenters from Endress + Hauser, GF Machining Solutions, and the US Department of Labor will be sharing their tips and tricks for effective recruiting and marketing strategies. In addition, representatives from area network colleges and high schools will be present for discussion and networking opportunities.

It’s not too late to RSVP! Register for free here.

Can't make it? Register as a virtual attendee and watch the live stream of the event.
Our next Train the Trainer seminar is coming up!

The workshop will provide company employees and academic trainers with the theoretical and practical knowledge needed to mentor young professionals. The session is open to all company mentors and any individual interested in learning the methods of training.

Register for this event and learn how you can give an apprentice the gift of a life-long career. For questions, please contact Stefanie Ziska.
Now in its fifth year, National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) is a nationwide celebration that gives businesses, communities, and educators the opportunity to showcase their apprenticeship programs and apprentices while providing valuable information to career seekers. Check out events in your area or register to host your own.

With our deadline on November 15 , NAW would also be a great week to register a new apprentice for Spring 2020! To do so, contact Joshua Seeberg.
Event Recaps
Leaders within German and American government, business and education discussed the potential of apprenticeships at the 2019 International Skills Conference on September 25 at the W Hotel Midtown in Atlanta, GA .
Through presentations, panels, and roundtable discussions, over 60 attendees gained valuable information about German-style apprenticeships and their application in the United States. Georgia Senator Matt Brass and Dr. Ursina Krumpholz of the German Embassy spoke about the development of new US pilot programs. The conference also welcomed several leaders from Germany, including Hannes Barske and Andreas Müller of the DLR Project Manager.

For more information about the conference, visit the GACC South website .
ICATT Apprenticeship Program graduate Charles Cassidy, shown here at his recent graduation, was the center of attention at the CNC Trainer Roundtable on September 12. The event at Buffalo Creek Brewing in Long Grove, IL, gave trainers the chance to pick the brain of a successful apprentice graduate. Charles provided an insider’s perspective on what works and what doesn’t when it comes to mentoring, exam prep, and CNC training curriculum.

To be a part of future roundtables or find more resources for trainers, contact Doris Bawa.
GA CATT celebrated the graduation of the 2019 class of Advanced Manufacturing Apprentices on September 25 as part of the Wunderbar Together PopUp Tour in Atlanta, GA.

Former Georgia Lt. Governor Casey Cagle welcomed attendees to the event, and program graduates included students from Northgate and Newnan High Schools. The event also recognized GA CATT ’s inaugural member companies E.G.O. North America, Inc. and the Grenzebach Corporation.

Stay up to date on all things GA CATT to learn more about apprenticeships in the Southern US.
Spotlights: The People Behind the Apprenticeships
Dung Le had a degree in Mechanical Engineering and worked for DRiV™ (formerly Federal-Mogul Motorparts ) . When he saw the internal posting for the position of an apprentice in the Mechatronics program, he jumped on it. He wanted to get hands-on training while expanding his education to the electrical side of engineering.

DRiV™ posts opportunities for the ICATT Apprenticeship Program internally. Seeing the success of existing apprentices has led to an incredible number of applicants from their incumbent workforce. They are looking at high school graduates as well in order to find the most qualified candidates.

ICATT and MAT² Network Companies can contact Doris Bawa to access a sample job postings to post an internal apprentice listing.
Contact us for more information
Virginia Rounds
GACC Midwest

321 N Clark St, Suite 1425
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 494-2163
Kevin Lister
GACC South

1170 Howell Mill Rd, Suite 300
Atlanta, GA 30318
(404) 586-6839

Matthew Allen
GACC New York

80 Pine St, 24th Floor
New York, NY 10005
(212) 974-8856