As leaders in manufacturing, it is important to connect with your local educational institutions, connect with local industry groups, or connect with your Chamber of Commerce. 

But what can you do if your community doesn’t have any apprentice programs? Well, you can create one, of course!

If you don't have an apprenticeship program in your community, the first step would be to connect with the U.S. Department of Labor. They have guidelines on how to design, build, and run an apprenticeship program. 

Some things to consider during the early planning process:

• How you will fund your program

• When and how to register your program

• The type of apprenticeship program model you desire (paid, work-based, classroom-based, etc).

Once you have the necessary information compiled and have an action plan in place, the next step is to develop strong partnerships with local educators or school districts, local businesses and the community. These partners will be crucial to helping you with growth, formation, and implementation of your program.  

Lastly, once you have your program established and registered, the final step is to run the program. This is when you can create a pool of apprentice candidates and match them with employers. Apprenticeship programs are wonderful resources for manufacturers and the community at large.