The initiative provides a platform to bring together practitioners to advance Registered Apprenticeships (RA) and skills-based learning to help expand best practices in developing the nation’s advanced manufacturing and technical talent pipeline .
Hanover, Maryland, October 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Through the National Center for Skill-Based Learning™ (CSBL), the National Institute for Industry and Career Advancement™ (NIICA) is committed to engaging and informing practitioners interested in skills-based learning and its advancement. We have launched a new platform to support Increased recruitment through the establishment and expansion of RAs. NIICA’s National Workforce Education, Career and Apprenticeship Network™ (WE CAN) platform and initiative is designed to meet the nation’s growing demand for skilled workers in the semiconductor, microelectronics, and advanced manufacturing sectors.
NIICA works with regional stakeholders across the United States in its role as the U.S. Department of Labor’s national industry intermediary responsible for establishing and expanding RA and advance training programs across the semiconductor, nanotechnology, and advanced manufacturing supply chains. In doing so, NIICA facilitates the sharing of experiences and best practices among diverse communities of practitioners. Employers, local industry intermediaries and group program sponsors, community colleges, career and technical education (CTE) programs, K-12 systems, economic development agencies, and state agencies.
WE CAN will foster greater connectivity at scale nationally, facilitate the sharing of best practices, and increase awareness of the resources available to accelerate skills-based learning and recruitment, and critical RA recruitment. It is designed for that purpose.
WE CAN builds on the success of the existing platform of NIICA’s Nanotechnology and Semiconductor Apprenticeship (GAINS) program and expands collaboration opportunities to a broader coalition of participating industry leaders, educational institutions, and labor organizations . This expansion aims to foster further innovation in skills-based learning across the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing sectors. Building on the foundation of collaboration established with NIICA and GAINS participants, WE CAN will provide an expanded space to exchange ideas and best practices on skills-based learning, enrolled apprenticeships, internships, and talent pipeline development . This effort opens these discussions to a broader network and ensures that successful strategies can be shared and scaled.
NIICA worked with industry representatives to develop a comprehensive database of knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) needed to succeed in advanced manufacturing, creating the nation’s first semiconductor competency standard. All KSAs required for jobs within companies supported by NIICA through the GAINS program are cataloged and matched to the curriculum required to support the training of RAs. Related Technical Instruction (RTI) is provided by network community colleges across the country whose curriculum is tailored to these employer/job requirements. NIICA’s Community College Semiconductor Industry Network (SINC) is a network of more than 50 colleges with curriculum aligned to KSA job requirements to support NIICA-facilitated RAs. Through WE CAN, stakeholders can learn about relevant resources, saving time and money associated with creating KSA profiles for jobs and leveraging existing resources available by joining RAs such as the National Talent Hub can.
“At NIICA, we are building talent pipelines nationally by establishing pre-apprenticeship pathways and registered apprenticeships for high-value and strategically important careers. We are fortunate to work with passionate stakeholders such as economic developers, educators, and others who contribute to workforce development. We are formalizing these connections, streamlining efforts, and leveraging existing assets. and programs,” said NIICA’s Senior Director of CSBL. clay nagel.
“At NIICA, we recognize that the core of our nation’s success lies in the strength of our workforce. WE CAN is about more than just filling jobs; it’s about creating opportunities for people from all walks of life to have access to meaningful careers. We are organizing our efforts to contribute to an industry that will grow and shape our future, not only to meet the needs of skilled workers in advanced manufacturing and technology-related careers, but also to support everyone in these fields. We are working to ensure that students have a pathway to a successful career in a high-growth and high-impact industry through Registered Apprenticeships.” Nikki ZahirDirector-General of NIICA.
“As we work to develop a strategy to expand the country’s talent pipeline into strategic industry sectors, we remain focused on ensuring skills-based learning is part of the education system. In doing so, we provide opportunities for people from all walks of life to participate in high-value careers. There is great work being done across the country, and it will be even more effective if we can share information and connect different communities of practice and stakeholders interested in furthering this mission. It has been a success,” said NIICA’s president and CEO. mike russo.
For more information about WE CAN and NIICA’s work, please visit www.niica.org.
About Industrial Career Support Organization, Independent Administrative Agency
NIICA is responsible for the national strategy of building talent pipelines to support strategic industry sectors, such as technology-based industries and advanced manufacturing related to U.S. national security and global competitiveness. .
NIICA is the nation’s leader in semiconductor talent pipeline development strategies and is the U.S. Department of Labor’s National Registered Apprentice (RA) industry intermediary for RA across semiconductor and broader nanotechnology-related industries and advanced manufacturing supply chains. Responsible for the establishment and expansion of All related programs and support are being facilitated through NIICA’s Skills-Based Learning Center and National Talent Pipeline Development Initiative.
To date, NIICA has supported the development of 89 RAs in collaboration with semiconductor and advanced manufacturing employers in 17 states, with more than 4,900 apprentices engaged in our programs. For more information about the Institute, please visit www.niica.org.
Source: Industrial Career Promotion Organization, Independent Administrative Agency
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