During the ICATT Roadshow organized to celebrate this year’s National Apprenticeship Week, we got the chance to talk to Austin, a first-year Mechatronics Apprentice at HARTING Americas. For Austin, the idea of following a traditional four-year college path never felt entirely right. Even during high school, he questioned whether a conventional bachelor’s degree – and the debt often associated with it – was the best fit for him.
“I never really liked sitting down in a classroom forever,” he explained. “I was always a hands-on guy.”
Austin first learned about the ICATT Apprenticeship Program almost by accident. While browsing his school district’s website during high school, he came across a “My plan, my story” video featuring an ICATT apprentice. Curious about the program, he spoke with his shop teacher who knew the apprentice, and he and his teacher reached out to learn more about the experience firsthand. He also visited the ICATT website to better understand the structure. What stood out most to him was the combination of paid work experience and college education.
“The structure just made sense to me,” Austin said. “You’re in school, you get paid, and you’re also getting real-world experience.”
A visit to one of the ICATT network companies further reinforced his interest in advanced manufacturing and mechatronics. By his senior year of high school, he decided to apply. Now completing his first year as a Mechatronics Apprentice at HARTING Americas, Austin describes his experience as overwhelmingly positive. As the company’s first apprentice, he has had the unique opportunity to help shape processes and contribute to projects across multiple departments.
During his first year, Austin has already worked on several technical projects, including programming laser marking systems, adjusting robotic automation processes, designing replacement components using 3D printing, and organizing large-scale inventory systems.The project that stood out most to him involved programming a laser marking machine used in production. Austin helped troubleshoot issues with the original software, worked on improving system functionality, and later trained others on how to use the equipment for new parts.
Beyond technical skills, the apprenticeship has also helped him better understand how different departments within a company work together.
“There’s a lot that I’ve already picked up,” he explained. “You learn something in class, and then suddenly it happens in real life. That really makes you pay attention.”
For students considering an apprenticeship, Austin emphasizes the importance of motivation, curiosity, and long-term thinking.
“Be willing to learn,” he said. “You have to think about where you want to be in three years and what direction you want to grow in.”