NIMS supports national expansion of apprenticeships

Fairfax, Va.-based NIMS has partnered with Focus: HOPE to develop an apprenticeship program in Michigan to fill in-demand technical jobs in manufacturing. The project, selected as a winner of the U.S. Department of Labor's American Apprenticeship Initiative grant program, will build on NIMS' competency-based apprenticeship model.

NIMS will serve as an engaged partner through the following activities with the Focus: HOPE American Apprenticeship program:

• Identifying the skills and competencies individuals need to enter into and complete advanced manufacturing apprenticeship programs.
• Supporting the development of career pathways, apprenticeship models and tools, and integration of NIMS industry-recognized credentials.
• Aligning training programs to industry standards.
• Providing technical assistance to schools, employers, and other partners.

National trends show that there is an increasing demand for individuals with machining skills. In Michigan, there will be nearly 125,000 jobs requiring machining skills, with demand for CNC programmers expected to climb 15 percent by 2024. The average hourly wage for machining jobs in Michigan is $20.47.

The NIMS competency-based apprenticeship system, developed in partnership with the DOL and more 300 companies, integrates NIMS national standards and skill credentials into measuring required competencies for multiple occupations. NIMS has developed more than a dozen competency-based apprenticeship models in the machining and metalworking industries. These models monitor progress based on performance, in lieu of rigid hours, allowing individuals and companies to customize the apprenticeship model based on respective needs.

NIMS certifies individuals' skills against these national standards via industry-recognized credentials that companies can use to recruit, hire, place, and promote workers. These 52 distinct credentials validate skills needed in 90 percent of manufacturing companies.