Center for Health Workforce at Mason

New College Institute (NCI) announces a partnership with Manufacturing Skills Institute (MSI) to provide an Advanced Manufacturing Machine Operator Registered Apprenticeship Program (AMMORAP), to begin October 31.

The Registered Apprenticeship Program is a proven training model for growing and retaining a skilled workforce in today’s competitive business environment. The “earn while you learn” approach combines on-the-job training and related classroom instruction. The outcome benefits the company with a skilled workforce and provides the employee with paid training and the ability to advance upon completion of the program.

The Virginia Manufacturing Association (VMA) is contracted with the Department of Labor to assist across the country in expanding Registered Apprenticeship Programs. MSI partners with employers to develop apprenticeship programs in various industries, ranging from cyber to electric power generation, transmission, and distribution to transportation and skilled trades.

Clifford House, Quality Assurance Instructor at NCI negotiated the new program. “My hope is that we can provide manufacturers with the skilled workforce that is able to facilitate all the different production needs at the same time providing apprentices with quality employment”, House explained. 

Focused on machine operators, this program offers paid training and is to be completed in a 12-month period. Grant money is available to aid the apprentice during their training. Direct training from subject matter experts supports both the apprentice and the sponsor. Related Technical Instruction (RTI) is composed of 144 hours of virtual training which includes: Manufacturing Technician Level 1 Credential, OSHA 10 plus additional safety training for manufacturing, Basic Machine Technology, and Process Safety Management course.