New development to close the skills gap for manufacturing companies; provide national credentials for ICATT Apprentices

Industry Consortium for Advanced Technical Training (ICATT), the leading apprenticeship program in the Midwest for high-tech manufacturers and companies with complex technologies or logistics, is now a registered apprenticeship program with the Department of Workforce Development Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards in Wisconsin.

“This is an important partnership for high-tech manufacturing and apprentices,” says Mario Kratsch, Head of the ICATT Apprenticeship Program. “Together, we are shining a light on high-tech manufacturing and underscoring their vital contribution to growing the economy. We look forward to partnering with more Wisconsin-based companies, providing a solution to the skills gap through apprenticeships.”

Certification with the Department of Workforce Development impacts ICATT Apprentices too. For apprentices who successfully complete the three-year ICATT Apprenticeship Program in Advanced Manufacturing, they will receive a nationally recognized journeyman’s card from the state of Wisconsin as an Industrial Maintenance Mechanic in addition to an associate degree and international DIHK certificate.

 The ICATT Apprenticeship Program combines company-specific knowledge, theory and hands-on learning to train a globally competitive workforce, and, ultimately, deliver a pipeline of skilled talent to the company.

In honor of the official registration, the ICATT Apprenticeship Program hosted a private ceremony on February 15th with first three Wisconsin companies to join the ICATT Apprenticeship Program in 2018:  Hermle Machine Company LLC, Krones Inc., and Basin Precision Manufacturing. Representatives from the Department of Workforce Development and the German American Chamber of Commerce will also be in attendance.

To learn more about becoming an ICATT Network Company, click here.