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The lack of a skilled workforce looms large over the electronics manufacturing industry, but the Global Electronics Association is building a powerful solution through an apprenticeship program that has evolved into a nationally recognized, well-funded workforce engine. Cory Blaylock and Vicki Hawkins are cutting through red tape with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to access millions of dollars in funding, and their collaboration with industry companies, creative problem solving, and commitment to success is helping address this great challenge and shape the next-gen electronics workforce.
Marcy LaRont: Cory, tell me about your apprenticeship program, its mission and evolution, and where you find yourselves today.
Cory Blaylock: When I joined the Association in April 2023, my goal was to register national program standards of apprenticeship with the U.S. Department of Labor on behalf of the electronics manufacturing industry. We started with two occupations, followed quickly by a third one, as apprenticeships must be very specific. We have been acting as both sponsor and intermediary, working with employers across the United States to adopt these apprenticeship standards so they can have a means to standardize their workforce training efforts, and to utilize some of the funding available specifically for apprenticeships. We have helped them determine how to upskill existing workers and recruit and retain new workers for the industry.
LaRont: How do you act as a sponsor and an intermediary?
Blaylock: Our role as a sponsor in the landscape of national apprenticeship standards means that we have done all the heavy lifting for employers. We have gone through the paperwork and vetting from the Department of Labor for approval for employers who may not have dedicated resources internally for workforce development. So, we've eliminated a lot of the red tape that exists in that system.
As an intermediary, we act as a convener and connector to employers, workforce boards, high schools, CTE programs, and others in the community. We bring everyone together to see what's available and to maximize participation in programs like these.
To continue reading this article, which originally appeared in the February 2026 edition of SMT007 Magazine, click here.
