How IPC Assists in Helping Fund Your Apprenticeship Program

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Workforce development issues plague many companies in the electronics manufacturing industry. IPC has structured its teams to provide resources that directly address these issues, including formulating an apprenticeship model that has received national recognition.

However, implementing these workforce programs can require additional funding for instruction and training. As director of workforce grants and proposals, I identify and secure funding from federal, state, and local opportunities that drive IPC’s workforce development initiatives, particularly around our apprenticeship program. With nearly $100,000 of state and local funding already secured, we've been able to:

• Offset $22,000 in employer costs for upskilling employees through our apprenticeship program
• Provide $16,500 in employer incentive payments for three apprenticeships
• Offer pre-apprenticeship/CTE training at a high school in East Texas in the next academic year
• Provide mini-credentialing training to instructors at Stephen F. Austin University
• Secure up to $1,500 per graduating senior pursuing a degree and/or employment in our industry in Colorado to assist with tuition and/or registered apprenticeship costs
• Have an additional $25,000 to offset costs for employers seeking to upskill their workforce through our registered apprenticeship program

My goal is to identify and pursue funding opportunities that enable employers to effectively upskill their employees, thereby offsetting the costs associated with both formal training programs and on-the-job training initiatives. This involves leveraging various grants, tax incentives, and public-private partnerships designed to support workforce development.

To read the rest of this article, which appeared in the Summer 2024 issue of IPC Community, click here.