B. Braun Medical has been recognized with a 2024 Governor’s Employer Award for Achievement, for its leadership role in creating the Lehigh Valley’s new apprenticeship program to grow the manufacturing workforce. 
B. Braun won for its work in forming the Industrial Training and Education Consortium of the Lehigh Valley (iTEC), a partnership of industry, education, government, workforce development, and community organizations to promote careers in advanced manufacturing.
iTEC, launched in October, is a first-of-its-kind regional apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship program established to provide industrial skills training and talent development.
“iTEC was envisioned as a way for local manufacturers and their training partners to simplify alternate career pathways and create a pipeline of skilled, diverse talent for the future workforce,” said Morten Rasmussen, Corporate Vice President, Operations Human Resources for B. Braun Medical Inc. and Workforce Board Lehigh Valley Board member who serves as Chair of the iTEC Management Council.
Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. (LVEDC) provides administrative support to iTEC, which is funded by a state grant and member companies.
B. Braun received the award May 1 from the Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association.
iTEC offers state-registered apprenticeship programs in mechatronics and industrial manufacturing technician career paths. Additional programs will be available soon, including machinist and laboratory tester.
According to the Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association, the partnership between B. Braun Medical Inc. and Workforce Board Lehigh Valley has accelerated and enhanced iTEC’s goals by defraying business and industry costs of onboarding and on-the-job training, classroom training, and supportive services related to Registered Apprentices and Pre-Apprentices.
“We were proud to work with our partners to launch the Industrial Training and Education Consortium (iTEC) of the Lehigh Valley. As leaders in the Lehigh Valley, we understand the importance of workforce development and ensuring community members have the training and skills to step into key jobs with us and other local businesses,” Rasmussen said.
“We started this project to achieve this goal, and we already see the benefits of a coordinated approach. We are thankful for the Governor’s Employer Award for Achievement, and we look forward to continuing to build a strong talent pipeline in the Lehigh Valley,” he said.
Manufacturers participating in iTEC are: B. Braun Medical, Bracalente Manufacturing Group, Evonik, Hospital Central Services Corp., Heidelberg Materials, Julabo USA, Keurig Dr Pepper, Lutron Electronics, Oldcastle APG, OraSure Technologies, Thread Bioscience, Tyber Medical.
The coalition has been growing, with Evonik, Oldcastle APG, and Tyber Medical joining since iTEC was launched.
Training partners are: Allentown School District, Bethlehem Area School District, Bucks County Community College, Cedar Crest College, Lehigh Carbon Community College, Lehigh Career & Technical Institute, Northampton Area School District, Northampton Community College.
Collaborating partners are: German American Chamber of Commerce, Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, LVEDC, Manufacturers Resource Center, Workforce Board Lehigh Valley.
Accrediting organizations are: German American Chamber of Commerce, Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, U.S. Department of Labor.
The Governor’s Employer Award for Achievement recognizes Pennsylvania employers who support workforce development in their communities. They have created jobs and partnered to hire skilled workers through Pennsylvania’s workforce development system.
“Pennsylvania employers are leading the way for our workforce development system, helping to train workers and grow our economy,” said Carrie Amann, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association. “Businesses are partnering with the Department of Labor and Industry, as well as our local workforce organizations, to ensure that our workers have the right training for opportunities in their communities. These successful partnerships have made it easier for veterans and those with disabilities to join and succeed in our workforce. We applaud their efforts, and we want them to serve as an example so all Pennsylvanians can have the opportunity to work and prosper in our Commonwealth.”
(Photos of iTEC apprentices courtesy of B. Braun Medical)