In November and December 2021, NTMA is teaming with partner Edge Factor to encourage students and job-seekers across North America to discover the power of apprenticeships! During these months, we are equipping educators, industry, and workforce leaders with high impact tools to showcase apprenticeable careers and promote apprenticeship training programs.
On both sides of the US-Canadian border, governments are providing funding to companies and encouraging them to host apprenticeships, so they can build their workforce, provide hands-on training, and help apprentices complete their certification. Apprenticeships benefit employers by bridging the existing skills gaps, as apprentices learn what they need to succeed in their chosen field.
“Apprenticeships merge on-the-job training with classroom learning, making it an ideal way for students and job-seekers to gain the skills they need to be successful in their career,” said Jeremy Bout, Founder and President of Edge Factor. “The unique relationship shared between apprentices and trainers is built on growth, sharing of knowledge, and personal development. We’ve heard time and time again in the many apprenticeship programs that we have worked with, that apprentices become journeypersons with better safety performance, greater overall productivity, and fewer mistakes. It’s a rewarding training and career pathway for anyone to take.”
This year will be sharing media and tools for families, educators, and industry leaders to explore for FREE online. Each of the 5 Days of STEAM included in the Apprenticeships toolkit are filled with inspirational stories, Virtual Workplace Experiences, Career Profile videos and Soft Skills media for students and families to discover.
Available for free to everyone, this content can be found on the following links:
- Apprenticeships Toolkit Homepage
- Day 1: Science
- Day 2: Technology
- Day 3: Engineering
- Day 4: Art
- Day 5: Math
From NTMA President Roger Atkins:
“NTMA is proud to partner with Edge Factor in providing member shops with access to high quality resources – designed to build both their own businesses and their future workforce. Apprenticeships remain key in creating manufacturing professionals – and provide pathways to sustainable skilled trade careers in precision metalworking. We hope our members take full advantage of these toolkits to continue reaching out to their local communities, inspiring the next generation of manufacturing.”
5 Reasons why YOU should host an Apprenticeships Experience:
- Recruit new students to enroll in tech-ed and apprenticeship programs
- Inspire students and job-seekers to pursue apprenticeable careers
- Reach parents at home to change antiquated perceptions of skilled trades careers.
- Build relationships between local schools and businesses by inviting them to participate and share information on the Apprenticeship opportunities they offer.
- Help students understand how STEAM and Soft Skills come alive in real-world careers.
Edge Factor’s mission is to guide students and job-seekers through a career exploration journey from, “I have no idea what to do with my life!” all the way to launching a local training and career pathway. The team members at Edge Factor often say, “We run with runners!”, and working with NTMA demonstrates their shared commitment to creating, sustaining and retaining a robust skilled trades workforce.
Edge Factor empowers communities across North America to tackle workforce development, inspire students, reach parents, and build relationships between local companies, schools, and families. Visit the Edge Factor website, or email them to learn more.