GACCs
Skills Update
June 2018
Examination Season is Upon Us
Exams are a key aspect of the German Dual Education System, and all apprenticeship programs certified by the GACCs include comprehensive written and practical exams. For the next few weeks, exams will take place in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Virginia, with other locations to follow. Keep an eye on the ICATT website for an upcoming blog post featuring the exams.
 
We wish all apprentices great success with the exams!
 
Upcoming timeline
 
  • June 30, 2018: Deadline for companies to join ICATT for the 2018-2021 cohort
  • Summer 2018: Recruiting continues; many apprentices start work; company specific training plans
  • August 3, 2018: Chicago-area kick-off and welcome meeting for the 2018-2021 cohort
  • 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,

Virginia Attaway Rounds
Director, Skills Initiative & ICATT Apprenticeship Program
And the Award Goes to ... the ICATT Apprenticeship Program
The ICATT Apprenticeship Program was selected as one of three finalists among 80+ submissions for a pitch contest as part of the AHK World Conference in Berlin. On May 14, GACC Midwest Vice President Mario Kratsch , presented the ICATT Apprenticeship Program to an international audience and jury, and won first prize.

The presentation covered the early beginnings of the ICATT Apprenticeship Program as well as the positive impact and gave a forecast of what lies ahead.

The ICATT Team thanks all of the ICATT Network Companies and people who have contributed to the Program. We firmly believe that collaborating and working together with our partners is one of the most important factors when it comes to pushing the existing boundaries to a new level and to develop a workforce which meets the rising needs of the modern industry.

Transatlantic Dialog on Apprenticeships
The GACCs' Skills Initiative is organizing workshops and educational trips to Germany for the following representatives from the U.S.:

  • Company trainers
  • High-school and community college educators
  • Exam board members
  • ICATT and GA CATT Network Companies
  • Government representatives
  • Economic Development Organizations
  • Local, regional and national industry representatives

The 2018-2021 "Transatlantic Dialog on Apprenticeships" will focus on:

  • The extensive experience and know-how of German apprenticeship trainers, examiners and educational institutions to promote the exchange of information between Germans and U.S. Americans
  • The increase of acceptance of apprenticeships in the U.S.

For more information on the program or if you are interested in participating in our workshops and/or educational trips, please contact Svenja Schroeder or call (312) 561-9791.
The project was supported by the Transatlantic Program of the Federal Republic of Germany, funded by the European Recovery Program (ERP) of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy (BMWi).
Join us on June 6 for the "Women in Manufacturing" Event in MI
On Wednesday, June 6, 2018  WiM (Women in Manufacturing Michigan) will host a Tour & Talk at SW North America. This event will feature a presentation about the relevance of apprenticeships in a tough labor market.

During this event, Skills Initiative Director, Virginia Rounds will be in attendance as a guest speaker to explain how the German Apprenticeship model has been successfully adjusted to help close the skills gap.

We look forward to seeing you in New Hudson on June 6! Find further information about the event and registration.
ICATT Cooperation with Elgin Community College
The ICATT Apprenticeship Program is proud to announce its newest Network College, Elgin Community College. The Elgin, IL community has a robust manufacturing sector, and local companies are facing the same shortage of a workforce as companies in other regions.

By joining the ICATT Apprenticeship Program, Elgin high-tech manufacturing companies will be able to develop a workforce development strategy that provides a pipeline of skilled talent over time. The ICATT team has been working hard with the Elgin Community College administration to start its first cohort of apprentices this coming fall.

If you are a manufacturer in the Elgin area and would like to learn more about the ICATT Apprenticeship Program, please contact Joshua Seeberg at seeberg@gaccmidwest.org or
312-494-2170.
New ICATT Network Company
Seyer Industries is a small business located in St. Peters, Missouri specializing in the manufacture of higher-level assemblies for the aerospace and maritime industries.
 
Seyer is a turnkey supplier with extensive in-house capabilities, including CNC machining, mechanical and electrical assembly, painting, kitting, welding, and NADCAP-certified penetrant and magnetic particle inspection.
If you would also like to join the ICATT Apprenticeship Program or for more information, please contact Joshua Seeberg or call (312) 494-2170.
New Cluster in Hall County, GA planned for 2019
In May, GACC South hosted the first implementation team meeting in Gainesville, GA.

GACC South launches the Machine and Assembly Technician (MAT) program to complement its portfolio of professional apprenticeship solutions for the manufacturing area. The Skills Team met with representatives from IMS Gear Georgia Inc., in order to discuss the final steps. The new apprenticeship program will also be joined by ElringKlinger USA Inc.

MAT’s are responsible for running and maintaining machines in an industrial environment. Their profound skill set allows them to troubleshoot and ensure quality throughout the production process.

For more information please contact the GACC South’s Skills Initiative Director Nicole Heimann at nheimann@gaccsouth.com .
The True Cost of the Skills Gap
Nobody wants to miss out on growth opportunities or their business to lose profits, right? The associated vacancy cost of unfilled positions can easily total up to $2 million per year. But the true cost has become such a part of the day to day, it is often overlooked. A new blog post examines the price of a vacancy and the real cost of unfilled jobs in high-tech manufacturing. Check out the full article.
Recap: First Train the Train er Seminar in IL
On May 17, 18 and 21 the ICATT Team hosted a "Train the Trainer Seminar" at Oakton Community College in Des Plaines, IL for Trainers from ICATT Network Companies. They gained valuable knowledge on how to train their apprentices in the most effective and productive way.

The course covered a variety of different teaching methods. It also gave a detailed insight into the specifics of communication and on how to approach various challenging scenarios in the workplace. 

Additional Train the Trainer courses will be held in Michigan and other locations this Summer and in the Fall.
 
To participate in a future seminar in the Midwest, please contact Sinan Ordu or call (312) 585-8338.
Recap: GACC South is Proud to Certify the First Trainers in GA
Following its Train the Trainer course earlier this year, GACC South provided the practical exam as the last step to receive the International Train the Trainer Certification in Gerogia. The Exams took place at Piedmont Technical College and West Georgia Technical College. The Exam Board was supported by two German apprentices who are currently participating in the “Azubi go USA!” exchange program funded by the Joachim Herz Foundation. The two German apprentices assisted the Exam Board in the practical part as our trainers showed their professional training methods expertise in a real-life scenario by explaining/mentoring various tasks.
GACC South is very proud to have a team of international certified trainers and is looking forward to the graduation party!

General Data Protection Regulation
GACC Midwest takes 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 our updated Data Privacy Policy in compliance with the new European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

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