GACCs
Skills Update
July 2018
Integrating Veterans Into Your Workforce
Did you know that only 50% of the Veteran workforce is actively employed? Especially during the season between Memorial Day and July 4, our thoughts turn to our veterans.

The ICATT Apprenticeship Program is GI-Bill certified and therefore a great option for veterans looking to pursue a career in high-tech manufacturing. Besides their extraordinary work ethic, employers value veterans' wide-ranging skill sets and problem solving abilities. To discuss issues related to veteran employment, we will be participating in a veterans roundtable event on July 10. For further information, see the article below.
 
Upcoming timeline:
 
  • Summer 2018: Developing - company specific training plans
  • August 3, 2018: Chicago-area kick-off and welcome meeting for the 2018-2021 cohort
  • August 8, 2018: Trainer Roundtable in Bartlett, IL
  • Mid-August: Official start of cohort
  • September 10-14: ICATT at the IMTS Student Summit
  • September 13, 2018: GACC Skills Conference and Graduation Ceremony for the inaugural ICATT cohort, Chicago, McCormick Place
  • Fall 2018: Start of the recruiting process for 2019-2022 cohort; curriculum development with colleges

Kind regards and a happy 4th of July,

Virginia Attaway Rounds
Director, Skills Initiative & ICATT Apprenticeship Program
Train the Trainer Courses in IL and MI
We will be offering two Train the trainer seminars this summer:

  • July 24 - 27 in Southfield, MI
  • August 1 - 6 in River Grove, IL

These seminars are designed for trainers/mentors who interact directly with the apprentices on a regular basis to prepare them to effectively train apprentices. Topics include teaching methods for breaking down complex tasks, learning styles, apprenticeship structure, and much more.

Upon successful completion trainers will receive a certification as a DIHK (Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry) approved trainer for apprenticeships in the US through GACC Midwest, Inc.

RSVP to Sinan Ordu or call (312) 585-8338.
Limited to 16 participants on a first-come basis.
Veteran Careers Roundtable Event - July 10, 2018
In cooperation with our partner Root3, Head of the ICATT Apprenticeship Program Mario Kratsch will be part of a "Veteran Careers Roundtable" on July 10. This event at mHub in Chicago will highlight the value of developing a veteran's workplace, long-term career opportunities, and strategies to ensure success.

ICATT at IMTS 2018, Chicago, IL
There are ample opportunities to interact with the ICATT Apprenticeship Program at the IMTS/Hannover Messe USA, one of the leading trade shows for manufacturing technology and automation.
  • We will be an exhibitor at the Smartforce Student Summit to introduce students and teachers to exciting, high-tech careers in manufacturing. A number of our ICATT Network Companies are IMTS/Hannover Messe USA exhibitors and participate in GACC Midwest's popular German Night Reception on Tuesday, September 11, as well.
  • On Thursday, September 13, please come and celebrate the Graduation Ceremony of the first ICATT Apprenticeship Program cohort.
  • On Thursday morning preceding the graduation ceremony, we will also be hosting our annual GACC Skills Conference.

Event registration will be online soon. Stay up to date on our ICATT Apprenticeship Program website.
ICATT Apprenticeship Cohort 2018 Kickoff - August 3, Elgin,IL
The ICATT Apprenticeship Program will be hosting an Apprentice Kickoff Event on August 3rd in Elgin, IL.
All ICATT Network Companies in the greater Chicago area are invited to attend.

The ICATT team will be on hand to introduce the program and answer questions. Companies as well as apprentices will have a chance to connect with each other in person, network, and build a community. Experienced ICATT Network Companies and Apprentices will share their knowledge with those that recently joined the program. Apprentices, families, and company representatives are welcome to attend.

For further information please contact Melissa Kmetz.
ICATT Apprenticeship Program Exams
During the months of May, June, and July, the exams for the internationally recognized DIHK Certification are in full swing.

They are an essential tool to test the apprentices on what they have learned at their training company and in college. With the results, employers can identify strengths and weaknesses, determine where additional training may be needed, and work to improve their training methods as well.

In Michigan, the Mechatronics Technician apprentices completed their Part 1 and Part 2 exams in May and June. This was the 3rd cohort of Mechatronics Technician apprentices who completed the Part 2 examinations to earn their DIHK Certifications following 3 years of college and training. The Advanced Manufacturing Technician and CNC Machining Professional written and practical examinations are coming up in Illinois and Georgia as well. Check out our newest blog post on exams!
New ICATT Network Company
We welcome the newest member to our ICATT Apprenticeship Program: Federal-Mogul Motorparts serves customers in the automotive aftermarket with maintenance, service, and performance-enhancing products. They also supply original equipment manufacturers of cars, trucks, heavy-duty vehicles, commercial vehicles, agricultural, aerospace and other industrial applications with premium products. 
Federal-Mogul Motorparts helps keep the world moving through an portfolio of premium automotive aftermarket parts. Federal Mogul will train Mechatronic Technicians within the ICATT Apprenticeship Program.
To learn more about joining the ICATT Apprenticeship Program or for more information, please contact Joshua Seeberg or call (312) 494-2170.
Recap: GACC New York at Apprenticeship Forward Event
The GACC New York Skills Team attended the Apprenticeship Forward event on June 8, 2018 at the John Heldrich Center for Workforce Development in New Brunswick (NJ) . New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced the state's new Apprenticeship Network and the upcoming apprenticeships roundtable with the GACC and the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

Governor Murphy saw the success of the German apprenticeship model first hand and perceives it as the backbone to a stable economy.
In addition, the new CEO of Siemens USA, Barbara Humpton, and Siemens Foundation CEO, David Etzwiler, described the importance of an effective Apprenticeship Program to generate a sustainable pipeline for future talent.

For further information on the event and the coorperation with the Governor, please contact Matthew Allen .
Recap: GA CATT Webinar on WECEP and Labor Law
GA CATT Network Companies train apprentices as young as 15-years-old to be Advanced Manufacturing Technicians. The U.S. Department of Labor granted a WECEP (Work Experience and Career Exploration Program) to GA CATT to allow these young apprentices to benefit from a career-oriented educational program. The WECEP also ensures the apprentices can safely perform their work at their host companies.

On behalf of GACC South, Jenny Houlroyd from Georgia Tech conducted a Webinar on Health, Safety and Labor Law to train the GA CATT mentors, HR personnel, and plant managers. The Webinar helped all participants to better understand their responsibilities and to raise awareness of general safety. The webinar concluded with a written test taken by the GA CATT mentors.

For further information, please contact Nicole Heimann , Director Skills Initiative.
Recap: Women in Manufacturing Event in Michigan
On June 6, the Michigan Chapter of the Women in Manufacuturing (WiM) hosted an event in New Hudson, MI at the new facilities of SW North America . The event featured presentations on the relevance of apprenticeship programs in a tough labor market.

GACC Midwest's Director, Skills Initiative & ICATT Apprenticeship, Virginia Rounds , shared how the German apprenticeship model has been successfully adjusted to the US market to help develop a skilled workforce for high-tech manufacturing. Kelsey Erne, former apprentice at Brose North America, also spoke about her experience and future career plans.
Consortium Style Apprenticeships - German American Trade Magazine
By partnering with SMEs and regional community colleges, the ICATT Apprenticeship Program provides an industry-driven solution to the skills gap. "Our consortium-style program allows high-tech manufacturers to grow, which delivers a vital contribution to the economy,”Mario Kratsch, Head of the ICATT Apprenticeship Program." Check out the entire article in the new German American Trade (GAT) Magazine and learn how the ICATT Apprenticeship Program uses synergies to benefit both apprentices and SMEs through the consortium approach.
General Data Protection Regulation
The GACCs take the protection of your data very seriously. Given the recent General Data Protection Regulation, effective on Friday, May 25, 2018, we are informing you that we have taken steps to ensure diligent compliance with the newly introduced regulation.

Please read GACC Midwest's updated Data Privacy Policy in compliance with the GDPR.

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