US manufacturer turns to ‘German-style’ apprenticeship model

Finding skilled workers is one of the biggest issues facing the construction industry (image: AEM)

“I grew up in Germany myself and attended an apprenticeship program, it’s a very common form of education in the country,” said Mark Zumdohme, President and CEO of Graepel. “We rely on these apprenticeship programs heavily in Germany, and we wanted to bring that model with us to the US.”

Graepel North America, which specialises in innovative pre-finished solutions made of sheet metal, found that the German Chamber of Commerce is represented in a few different locations in the US, mostly centered around the Midwest, and offers a fully comparable programme, called the ICATT Apprenticeship Program.

“We were the first ones in the Omaha area, maybe in all of Nebraska actually, to put in the effort to get involved with the German Chamber of Commerce to really dive into this program,” said Zumdohme.

The three-year dual study ICATT programme has participants attending college courses two to three days a week and working at their sponsoring company two to three days a week. Apprentices earn wages while at work, a stipend while at college, and the company that employs the apprentice covers the cost of college tuition and fees. After the program is over, students have an Associate Degree as a Manufacturing Technician and a guaranteed full-time position with the company.

Industry apprenticeships are a proactive approach for manufacturing industry to address workforce shortages, but require companies making a significant investment into training and schooling.

Currently, Graepel has two apprentices on staff, and is looking to bring on two additional apprentices. The company has found that even numbers of apprentices are best, as students have a partner to go through the program with – they all go to class together, come to work together, and can lean on each other for support when needed.

“We’ve grown as a company, and we have made adjustments to make sure this program can be successful in the future. This is a long-term employment strategy, unfortunately there are no real quick fixes to the labour shortage. But if you are dedicated, it can pay off,” added Cole.

Graepel North America is a member of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. Find out more about The AEM Manufacturing Express, the largest public engagement in the association’s 130-year history.