A new, one-of-a-kind apprenticeship program for manufacturing workers in the Lehigh Valley will change lives, a top Pennsylvania workforce official said.
The Industrial Training and Education Consortium of the Lehigh Valley (iTEC) was announced Oct. 3 at the Lehigh Valley Manufacturing Forum by Gwen Ross, Director of Workforce Development Initiatives at the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development. 
“It's giving workers in the Lehigh Valley an opportunity to learn new skills, advance in their career, and provide for their families. It's giving others who perhaps never considered a job in manufacturing a chance to be a part of an exciting, advanced technology industry, which can lead to a better, more fulfilling quality of life,” Ross said. “For manufacturing in the Lehigh Valley to continue to thrive, it takes skilled workers who are passionate about what they do. And through iTEC, you are fostering that workforce.”
iTEC is a partnership of industry, education, government, and community organizations to promote careers in advanced manufacturing. It is funded by a state grant and member companies. iTEC currently is offering state-registered apprenticeship programs in mechatronics and industrial manufacturing technician career paths. Additional programs will be available soon, including machinist and chemistry lab tech.
The program is going to bring significant change to the manufacturing workforce of the Lehigh Valley, where manufacturing is the largest contributor to the economy, said Karianne Gelinas, Vice President of Regional Partnerships and Strategies at Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. (LVEDC).
Gelinas spoke during a panel discussion about iTEC during the Manufacturing Forum, held at Wind Creek Bethlehem.
The Lehigh Valley is in the top 15% of markets nationwide for manufacturing. About 750 manufacturers in the Lehigh Valley employ about 38,000 people and produce an output of $8.4 billion annually. That represents 18% of the $47 billion Gross Domestic Product. Nationally, manufacturing makes up 12% of GDP. The average salary of a manufacturing employee in the Lehigh Valley is about $76,000.
“Looking for people with the right skills is really hard,” Gelinas said. “Having a broad coalition of manufacturers standing together and stating that these are the important skills that folks need, these are the jobs that those skills will lead to, here's the process of how you can obtain those jobs, and you can work and earn a wage while you're doing that learning, is extremely powerful.”
LVEDC has provided administrative support to iTEC.
“There's no question the manufacturing industry has always been the backbone of our economy,” Ross said. “Today's manufacturing is not our fathers’ or grandfathers’ industry. It's an industry that's embraced innovation, and requires highly trained workers with advanced technology skills, the kind that the apprenticeships at iTEC will provide.”
In addition to Gelinas, the panel discussion included Morton Rasmussen, Corporate Vice President, Operations Human Resources, B. Braun Medical; Ayesha Herrera, Director of Human Resources, OraSure Technologies; and Matthew Allen, Director of Careers and Education, German American Chamber of Commerce. The discussion was moderated by Richard Hobbs, President and CEO of the Manufacturers Resource Center.
Rasmussen said his vision for iTEC is to make the Lehigh Valley the center of excellence for manufacturing in the Northeast.
“There's no reason we can't do it,” Rasmussen said. “We have the infrastructure. We have the civic partners, we have educational partners, and there’s no reason this thing can’t take off.”
Herrera said OraSure recognizes the return on investment provided by iTEC. She said the company is looking for manufacturing technicians who are critical for day-to-day production.
“They don't require a two-year degree, but they seem to be the hardest roles to fill for the organization,” she said “We are also looking for maintenance mechanics, also an area where it doesn't require a four-year degree. But this seems to not be enticing for folks. So, we see that apprenticeship programs really bring an opportunity for them to get to know the role. And with that hands-on training, develop that skill and end up loving it.”
Allen said iTEC is part of a national initiative by the German American Chamber of Commerce. Nationwide, 100 companies and 14 states have registered apprenticeship programs through the chamber. The programs are registered in Germany as well and tie into that country’s dual education system.
He said apprenticeships will benefit not only young people who are looking to begin a career, but older people who want to change career paths, as well as those who may feel left behind.
“There are a lot of really valuable opportunities for people to grow into ways that they can support a family and become real meaningful members of the community,” Allen said. “That's baked into the language in the German system, by the way. When you're part of an apprenticeship program, as a host company, you understand that your role is to train someone and also build a member of the community.”
Ross said iTEC fits with Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s vision for driving economic development in Pennsylvania through further investment in workforce training.
About iTEC
Participating manufacturers: B. Braun Medical, Lutron Electronics, Heidelberg Materials, OraSure Technologies, Bracalente Manufacturing Group, Health Care Service Corporation, Keurig Dr Pepper, Julabo USA, Thread Bioscience.
Training partners: Allentown School District, Bethlehem Area School District, Bucks County Community College, Cedar Crest College, Lehigh Carbon Community College, Lehigh Career & Technical Institute, Northampton Community College.
Collaborating partners: German American Chamber of Commerce, Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, LVEDC, Manufacturers Resource Center, Workforce Board Lehigh Valley.
Eligibility requirements: Apprenticeships are available to Lehigh Valley area residents who are 18 or older who have a high school diploma or GED and are eligible to work in the United States.
More information or to apply: iTECLehighValley.org.
(Photos by LVEDC)