GACCs
Skills Update
May 2018
Finding the Ideal Apprenticeship Candidates
The GACCs' Skills Teams are ramping up the recruitment efforts to find the best candidates possible for our Network Companies. Throughout the month of May, we are hosting open houses at local manufacturing companies. Open houses have proven to be an especially effective way of finding great apprentices, as candidates get the chance to gain first-hand insight into manufacturers' facilities.
Candidates can also gain insight into the benefits of apprenticeships in our new video, featuring ICATT Apprentices Thomas Hein and Alexis Ojeda.
Timeline for the 2018 cohort:

  • May 2018: Last push to reach high school graduates before graduation; Train the Trainer workshop in Chicago region, May 17-21
  • Summer 2018: Jobs/internships for apprentices; finalizing company-specific training plans
  • August 2018: Start of 2018 cohort
  • Fall 2018: Start recruiting for 2019 cohort; curriculum development with colleges

Kind regards,

Virginia Attaway Rounds
Director, Skills Initiative & ICATT Apprenticeship Program
Connecticut Workforce Development Roundtable in New York, NY
On May 11, the German American Chamber of Commerce New York will host its Connecticut Workforce Development Roundtable. The event will bring together decision makers and thought leaders from government, industry, and academia to drive innovation in skills training. Attendees will discuss best practices and learn about the experiences of companies that have already implemented apprenticeship programs. This dynamic meeting will set a foundation for future cooperation.

Train the Train er Seminar in High Demand
On May 17, 18 and 2,1 the first ICATT Apprenticeship Train the Trainer seminar will take place at Oakton Community College in Des Plaines, IL. The seminar will give trainers tools and methods to communicate effectively with their apprentices and pass on their skills and knowledge. This seminar will result in an international certification based on German standards and is free of charge for ICATT Network Companies. The May session of the seminar is full.

To participate in one of our future seminars, please contact Sinan Ordu or call (312) 585-8338.
New Skills Initiative Team Member
The ICATT Apprenticeship Program is not just gaining more and more ICATT Network Companies, it is also growing as a team. Please welcome our new colleague, Andreas Lorenz, who brings along hands-on-experience: he did an apprenticeship as an Electrician for Aeronautical Technology Systems and later got his Master of Science in Industrial Engineering. We’re very happy that he joined GACC Midwest's Skills Initiative team and look forward to working with him.

You can reach Andreas at [email protected] or (312) 561-9796.
New ICATT Network Companies
Schultes Precision Manufacturing Inc. (SPM), located in Buffalo Grove, IL, is known for their manufacturing expertise by providing specialized CNC machining services from prototype to high volume production. SPM's specialty CNC machining equipment performs various operations including drilling, boring, tapping, threading, cutting, and milling.
 
Schultes is offering apprenticeships as CNC Machining Professional.
The global automotive supplier, Weber Automotive Corporation , is one of the most technologically advanced companies in the industry, with six production sites in Germany, Hungary and the U.S. They produce drive components for passenger, commercial and recreational vehicles and specialize in machining engine and drive components and assembling complete drive systems.

Weber Automotive is offering apprenticeships as Advanced Manufacturing Technician.
If you would also like to join the ICATT Apprenticeship Program or for more information, please contact Joshua Seeberg or call (312) 494-2170.
Recap: Expanding Apprenticeships in Illinois - Panel Discussion at LSG Sky Chefs in Des Plaines, IL
On May 4, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi invited local business owners, educators, students, and community leaders to discuss expanding apprenticeships and investing in the American workforce.

Peter Riehle, CEO of ICATT Network Company WITTENSTEIN, discussed how the investment in apprentices pays off to help the company's bottom line. ICATT Apprentice Alexis Ojeda talked about his experience and how the program helped him grow personally and professionally.

Recap: Pneumatic Preparation for ICATT Apprentices
It is that time of year again: Spring for apprentices means preparing for their DIHK examinations coming up this summer. In April, ICATT Apprentices in Advanced Manufacturing from all over Chicagoland gathered at Triton College to review their pneumatic skills. Working both independently and in groups to set up and troubleshoot pneumatic systems, apprentices wrapped up the review day discussing lessons learned. We wish them all the best for their examinations in June.

Recap: Overcoming Workforce Challenges in the Pharma Industry
On May 3, Vetter Development Services USA Inc. , located in Skokie, IL, and the ICATT Apprenticeship Program organized an informational meeting on how apprenticeships can help pharmaceutical companies in overcoming workforce challenges."We acknowledge that the traditional college education career path is not generating the workforce the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry needs for future growth. We are confident that apprenticeships can help to meet this need, and we encourage other pharmaceutical companies in the Midwest to participate as well," said Susanne Lemaine, President at Vetter Development Services USA. The successful meeting was a first step towards setting up an apprenticeship program in the pharma industry. Just last month, IL Governor Bruce Rauner along with a business delegation visited Vetter Pharma in Germany as part of a 'jobs mission' to get an update on the company's expansion and workforce strategy.

If you would also like to join the ICATT Apprenticeship Program, please contact Joshua Seeberg or call (312) 494-2170.