As published in Manufacturing & Construction News - March 1, 2017

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NTMA selected as partner to grow apprenticeships

The National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA) is partnering with the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS), which was selected by the United States Department of Labor as an industry intermediary to support the expansion of registered apprenticeships within manufacturing.

NTMA will work with NIMS to increase access to apprenticeships and assist employers in developing new programs that reach diverse talent pools. As part of this initiative, $500,000 is available to support companies in establishing a registered apprenticeship program with the Department of Labor.

“For over two decades, NIMS has worked with companies, workforce development groups, and community colleges to stand-up high-caliber apprenticeship programs across the country,” said Jim Wall, executive director, NIMS. “This contract gives us the unique opportunity to create more impact in our industry by expanding apprenticeships to underrepresented populations and to new companies looking to establish a sustainable talent pipeline.”

The NTMA will help members establish and register apprenticeship programs with the Department of Labor utilizing its online training resource, NTMA-U. Additionally, NTMA will assist those members with existing programs to become registered apprenticeship programs.

NIMS will focus on providing companies with tools and resources to develop customized registered apprenticeship programs. These programs combine on-the-job training with job-related classroom instruction and meet national standards for registration with the Department of Labor or State Apprenticeship Agencies.

“As a stakeholder in NIMS, NTMA will be offering its members the ability to register their existing apprenticeship programs with the Department of Labor through the NTMA. This should make it easier and expedite the registration process,” said Dave Tilstone, president, NTMA. “This is an excellent opportunity for NTMA members to train their employees using NTMA-U which is already sanctioned by the Department of Labor in all 50 states.”

Other stakeholders supporting expansion of registered apprenticeships in manufacturing include:

• AMT – The Association for Manufacturing Technology
• Precision Machined Products Association (PMPA)
• Precision Metalforming Association (PMA)
• Technology and Manufacturing Association (TMA)
• The Aluminum Association (AA)
• Digital Manufacturing & Design Innovation Institute (DMDII)
• Lightweight Innovations For Tomorrow (LIFT), operated by ManufacturingUSA
• Manufacturing Institute (MI), the workforce development arm of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)
• National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers (NCATC)
• National Governors Association (NGA)
• National Network of Business and Industry Associations (National Network)

NIMS is seeking companies and industry partners that are interested in enhancing their talent pipelines through apprenticeships.

Companies that are interested in building an apprenticeship program or organizations that are interested in partnering with NIMS should go to www.mfgapprenticeship.com.