Apprenticeship Resources

Apprenticeship and You

On April 10, 2024, the Germanic-American Institute hosted “Apprenticeship and You”, a free event to educate about innovative local, national and international apprenticeship opportunities for both youth and adults seeking an alternative career pathway. The video below includes the live audio-recording of the event, paired with the presentation that was delivered. Joined by Sheri Henry and Geralynne Berg from ICATAP, and Patrick Bolt and Omar Lopez Sanchez from Bühler, we learned about the success and benefits of their respective apprenticeship program. We also covered other nationally recognized apprenticeship options in business, marketing, education, engineering, and aerospace.

• Apprenticeships in Minnesota
  Minnesota DLI Registered Apprenticeship
  A one-stop-shop for guidance on getting involved with apprenticeship programs in Minnesota from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI).Minnesota DLI Pipeline Program
  Learn more about the “innovative approach to address current and future workforce needs” through the Minnesota DLI Pipeline Program. Including a Map of Pipeline partner employers throughout Minnesota. The four main industries the program focuses on are:

  • Advanced Manufacturing
  • Agriculture
  • Health Care Services
  • Information Technology

  ICATT Apprenticeship Program
  Learn more about how you can earn while you learn. The Industry Consortium for Advanced Technical Training (ICATT) is an initiative of the German American Chamber of Commerce (GACC) Midwest. This renowned apprenticeship program focuses primarily on high-tech manufacturing opportunities in the midwest and beyond. Interested in applying? Find out more here: https://www.icattapprenticeships.com/apprentices/

  Companies in Minnesota include:

  • Buhler
  • J&E Manufacturing Co.
  • PaR Systems
  • Rosenbauer
  • Turck

  Xcel’s CIP Workforce Development program
  Join the fast-growing clean energy industry with a paid training and internship! This program, implemented by Center for Energy and Environment (CEE), aims to recruit, train, place, and retain participants who are historically and currently underrepresented in the energy efficiency sector, specifically individuals from BIPOC communities and women.

  ICATAP
  The ICATAP model is a medical assistant program structured to allow health clinics to staff Medical Assistants internally. Trainee/Employees work in clinics with a mentor(s) while preparing for the MA certification exams through the ICATAP proven MA coursework. The program allows for experiential learning in clinics with cognitive knowledge learned through the online ICATAP curriculum. Plans to offer expanded training for positions beyond Medical Assistants are already underway thru this exciting program.

  Individuals hoping to find opportunities in apprenticeship in the health services industry in Minnesota, simply search for open positions with keyword “apprenticeship” on job search websites (ie Indeed.com) within health services provider systems and apply directly.

  If you’re a professional healthcare provider looking for further information to establish an apprenticeship program with ICATAP, please email sphenry@icatap.com.

• Apprenticeships in the Midwest

  Companies in Wisconsin include:

  • Felss
  • Krones, Inc.
  • Basin Precision Machining

  For information about apprenticeship opportunities in our neighboring state of Wisconsin, check out: https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/apprenticeship/

  Companies in Illinois include:

  • Brose
  • Geka Manufacturing Corporation
  • Clyde’s Donuts
• Nationwide Resources for Apprenticeship in the U.S.
  SkillsUSA: Champions at Work
  A nonprofit national education association, SkillsUSA serves middle-school, high-school and college/postsecondary students preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service (including health) occupations.Careerwise
  A database of apprenticeship opportunities in agriculture, architecture, communications, business, health science, hospitality, public safety, manufacturing, and transportation.
• Apprenticeship and Training Opportunities in Germany
  Berufsbrücke (Career Bridge)
  This new program from the Goethe Institut offers an opportunity for students to learn German language skills and career development in a professional setting. The program is for those in high school or community college who are interested in learning more about vocational training and work opportunities in Germany.The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) Vocational Scholarship
  This scholarship provides an opportunity for American high school graduating seniors to spend the year after graduation in Germany. Students can pursue vocational interests, such as engineering, culinary arts, graphic design, health care, informational technology, and more.Fachhochschule Südwestfalen
  Learn more about opportunities for vocational training and study at this university of applied sciences in Germany (in English).

Apprenticeships are a smart alternative to the four-year degree and can help close the socio-economic and skills gaps. When employers invest in the education and training of their employees, everyone benefits.

Apprenticeships Explained

In the animation below, created by the Bertelsmann Foundation in partnership with the Transatlantic Outreach Program, we follow the story of Gage, a current engineer and former apprentice in the southeastern U.S. During his apprenticeship, Gage became qualified for the jobs of the future, received competitive wages, earned college degrees, and built a solid foundation for career advancement at a company that believed in him. In his words, it was the turning point that changed his life for the better.

This animation is part of the Wunderbar Together 2020 initiative that aims to promote the importance of robust German-American relations.

Why do we need apprenticeships?

Costs: The US education system continues to focus almost exclusively on the “college-for-all” model, which is proving unsustainable. The average student graduates with $40,000 in debt and has little to no actual work experience in their chosen field.

Skilled Workers: The US is facing a critical shortage of skilled workers. In Minnesota, the forecast projects a deficit of 400,000 workers in the next 5-10 years.

What does apprenticeship look like in Germany?

Alternative Path: After high school in Germany, rather than the university route, students can choose to complete a registered apprenticeship that combines on-the-job training with a credentialed degree. In Germany more than 350 apprenticeships are available and opportunities range far beyond the building trades.

Benefits: German companies that invest in apprenticeships have much higher rates of employee retention, productivity, and enhanced innovation. Germany achieves lower youth unemployment and high-level skills and careers for workers who did not attend a university.

Apprenticeship Ambassador

The GAI has been granted official Apprenticeship Ambassador status by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship. This award will help the GAI expand its role promoting registered apprenticeship programs, working towards strengthening the workforce, and closing socio-economic and skills gaps in employment.