National Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeship Project

NAMAP grant funds may be used to subsidize the training and education cost for apprentices enrolled in the programs to utilize some third-party education providers to implement sector-based programs including reimbursing employers for some of the extraordinary cost of On –the- Job Training (OJT). An important aspect of the apprenticeship program is offering the apprentices the opportunity to apply what they are learning to their work through well-designed and highly structured work experiences. While apprentices are learning on the job, your program design should include mentoring support and guidance on industry, culture and industry workforce policy and procedures.

Registered Apprenticeship programs include short-term (as little as 5-week) and longer-term (up to 2- year) programs, with an emphasis on competency-based and hybrid programs that lead to employment for un- and under-employed apprentices and advancement opportunities for incumbent workers.

Pre-Apprenticeship programs are models for just-in-time response to employer talent needs. Pre-apprenticeship models have proven to quickly prepare and immediately place inexperienced workers in middle-skill manufacturing jobs on pathways to higher-skill careers. These models engage employers in the development of customized assessment tools and classroom training curricula. Apprentices complete pre-apprenticeship training in 5-10 weeks, allowing them to enter On –the- Job Training (OJT) and employment more quickly while increasing Institution of Higher Education (IHE) capacity to produce a high volume of skilled workers.

Incumbent Worker Training apprenticeship programs offer employers a viable strategy for upskilling their incumbent workers. Such training increased the skills and credentials for these workers to advance in their careers and assist employers in strengthening the skills of their existing workforce. Applicants that propose to serve incumbent workers must work with employer(s) and employer partners to develop apprenticeship programs designed to fill existing or protected job vacancies in middle-skilled to high-skilled positions.

Related Technical Instruction (RTI) training gives apprentices credit for skills already developed and allowing apprentices to move through coursework base on the mastery of a set skills and/ or on-line course work, or distance learning modules, that build work based skills and competencies.