On National Apprenticeship Day, Metallurgical Engineering Trades Apprenticeship & Learning (METAL) recognizes the powerful impact of apprenticeships in addressing workforce gaps and supporting the U.S. defense and industrial bases.

The need to fill major gaps in the U.S. defense workforce is critical. Between now and 2028, the U.S. defense industrial base is projected to require at least 122,000 additional skilled professionals, including shipbuilders, engineers and others in critical roles supporting the Department of Defense. 

As defense manufacturing competes with other sectors for these critical workers, failure to meet the growing demand for skilled professionals could exacerbate vulnerabilities within the defense industrial base and the U.S. manufacturing economy.

Training Partnerships Drive Success

METAL, led by IACMI – The Composites Institute, has a strategic partnership with Jobs for the Future (JFF) to provide apprenticeship opportunities that strengthen the nation’s metalcasting workforce while supporting the security and sustainability of America’s defense and manufacturing industrial bases.

METAL also provides consulting services, connections to funding opportunities and apprenticeship curriculum for companies to create custom training and on-the-job learning experiences. 

A good example of this is Goodwin Engineering Training Company. Goodwin partnered with METAL to share their highly successful apprenticeship model and curriculum to address critical skill gaps in the metal manufacturing workforce – their model is “a radical, new approach needed to raise the skill level of the individual worker to the standard that they required for future growth” said Natalie Jellyman, Goodwin Apprenticeship Manager.

By combining METAL’s workforce development mission with Goodwin’s proven training expertise, our partnership has delivered a specialized curriculum that integrates classroom instruction with practical, industry-relevant experience.

The curriculum can be easily adopted by companies that want to implement a turn-key apprenticeship program at no charge. In some cases, incentive funding is available to launch the new program. 

“We can learn so much from textbooks, from word of mouth,” said Lee McCue, Teacher at Goodwin Engineering Training Center, “But actually doing the job itself, and putting that knowledge into practice is where you find your feet and find those experiences.”

Apprenticeship programs, like the one at Goodwin, tackle workforce shortages, strengthen national security, boost U.S. economic competitiveness and build lasting career pathways in U.S. manufacturing.

Apprenticeships in Action

You can see the impact of apprenticeships in action at  CWC Textron, a leading manufacturer of high-quality castings for the automotive and industrial sectors.

CWC Textron’s apprenticeship pipeline provides apprentices with skills in machine repair, millwrighting and electrician apprenticeships. 

“By investing in apprenticeships, companies can support the development of individual careers and secure their future and the industry’s future,” said Holly Rolewicz, apprenticeship program lead for CWC Textron. “These trades are vital to our success, particularly in maintaining a foundry that has been operational for 117 years and relies on aging equipment.” 

 

For more information on apprenticeship opportunities and curriculum development, connect with Lucinda Curry at lcurry@iacmi.org.