Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeship program aims to address skill shortage

July 27, 2017

In August, employees from 18 area companies will begin attending Cuyahoga Community College’s Brunswick University Center – the first class of the Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeship program.

The program, a partnership between Tri-C, Lorain County Community College and area manufacturing companies, aims to address a growing problem in manufacturing and other industries: the lack of middle-skilled workers.

Middle-skill jobs that require more than a high-school education, but less than a four-year college degree. In Ohio, they account for 55 percent of the labor market, but only 47 percent of workers have middle-skill training. According to government data analyzed by the National Skills Coalition, 53 percent of jobs nationally are considered middle-skill, while only 43 percent of U.S. workers have the necessary training level.

In particular, small and midsized companies have a difficult time filling middle-skill positions, due to the cost of implementing training programs. That’s why cooperative efforts like the Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeship program are so important, serving as an opportunity for area companies and colleges to share in the cost, and share in the collective benefit of a more-educated workforce.

Cleveland.com and Crain’s Cleveland Business recently profiled the new program, with comments from William Gary, Tri-C’s executive vice president of workforce, community and economic development.