Maryland MEP hosts Maryland MFG Apprenticeship Awareness Day

Columbia, Md. – Maryland MEP (MD MEP), a non-profit committed to growing and strengthening Maryland manufacturing, in partnership with the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR), hosted Maryland MFG Apprenticeship Awareness Day on Thursday, November 3. The workshop, hosted at MD MEP, offered leaders in the Maryland manufacturing community valuable insight into the benefits of using apprenticeship programs to develop internal teams, provide training, and develop skillsets that position employees to advance within organizations.

More than 20 people including, industry stakeholders and Maryland manufacturing business leaders, attended Thursday’s event. The event kicked off with opening remarks from Kelly Schulz, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR). Following Schulz’s remarks, Chris MaClarion and John Vontran of DLLR led “Apprenticeship 101,” a presentation priming attendees on the ins-and-outs of apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs. Mike Kelleher of Maryland MEP later spoke to attendees about how to best position their companies for a manufacturing apprenticeship.

Understanding, implementing and managing an apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship program within manufacturing facilities can be a time-consuming and often daunting task for business leaders. Maryland MFG Apprenticeship Awareness Day was designed to provide business leaders with the information they need to take on the challenge.

“We are honored to have partnered with DLLR to help develop and put on this workshop for Maryland manufacturers,” said Mike Kelleher, Chief Operating Officer of Maryland MEP. “These special events provide a unique opportunity for us to provide valuable information that will move Maryland manufacturers a step closer to implementing apprenticeship programs that will strengthen their workforce.”

The Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR) and Maryland MEP have access to resources, programs and technical assistance to help companies better understand the requirements of apprenticeship programs, prepare their organizations and workforce, develop and implement comprehensive training programs and manage the reporting and compliance aspects of the program.

For more information on the resources, programs and technical assistance required for apprenticeship programs, or to learn more about future workshops for Maryland manufacturers, visit www.mdmep.org.

About Maryland Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MD MEP):

MD MEP works with partners throughout the state including the Regional Manufacturing Institute of Maryland (RMI) and others focused on growing manufacturing in the State of Maryland by providing resources and services to manufacturers statewide. Through collaborative efforts and strategic partnerships, MD MEP helps Maryland manufacturers expand their business, educate their workforce and create mutually beneficial connections with other Maryland businesses. For more information, please visit www.mdmep.org.