When Kiera Barnhart’s grandfather underwent cancer treatment, her mother sent her pictures of the medical devices being used to treat him. Barnhart recognized them right away. “I make that part,” she exclaimed. 
As an Industrial Manufacturing Technician apprentice at B. Braun, Barnhart assists in the manufacturing of components for critical medical devices.
B.Braun, a leading medical device company that recently announced its second major expansion in the Lehigh Valley in three years, is a founding member of the Industrial Training and Education Consortium of the Lehigh Valley (iTEC), a partnership of industry, education, government, and community organizations to promote careers in advanced manufacturing. B. Braun employs a number of iTEC apprentices, including Barnhart.
She didn’t know that her curiosity for machines would one day connect her to life-saving products used in hospitals around the world.
“It’s so touching. And it also puts a little extra fire behind what I’m doing. We’re picking out defects or sending them through. I keep that in mind when I’m checking everything. It definitely puts everything in perspective,” she said.
As Barnhart has experienced, technical education can open doors to exciting opportunities in high-growth industry sectors. She was introduced to B. Braun while a technical education student and member of SkillsUSA Council, a nonprofit national education association that serves middle school, high school, and college/postsecondary students preparing for careers in trade, technical, and skilled service occupations.
“Technical education and hands-on learning empower young individuals to think, build, and lead. Students develop the kind of practical intelligence and problem-solving ability that defines high-level professionals across every industry," said Andy Hammer, Executive Director at SkillsUSA Council District 11 that serves the Lehigh Valley.
Apprenticeship has provided Barnhart the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of others, and she values that immensely. It’s also given her a window into many different careers in manufacturing and molded her into a stronger worker and person.
Manufacturing is a leading driver of the Lehigh Valley’s economy, making up 16% of the region’s Gross Domestic Product. Lehigh Valley is among the Top 15% of manufacturing markets, based on GDP.
Products made by the Lehigh Valley’s more than 700 manufacturers include semiconductors and optoelectronics; food and beverages; pharmaceuticals and medical supplies; clothing and other consumer products; hydraulic systems; chemicals; metal products; mineral products; plastics; building supplies, and national defense components.
Apprenticeships play a key role in fueling the manufacturing workforce, which has grown at three times the national rate since 2010.
Barnhart’s apprenticeship has taken her to almost every department in B. Braun, from molding and extrusion to assembly and quality control. As a result, she feels connected to the end product. “I get to see almost every stage in its life cycle,” she says.
This exposure to different fields within manufacturing has also enabled Barnhart to better understand herself. “I’ve been discovering myself a little bit,” she said.
For example, she has realized she thrives in an environment where she interacts with people regularly. She now knows that interpersonal interaction will be a key component of any career she chooses.
Apprenticeship has also helped her to build upon the skills she began developing during her time at SkillsUSA, which are valuable both in the workplace and in life.
“It’s made me both a better person and a better worker,” Barnhart said. 
Her apprenticeship has taught her to prioritize tasks and helped her to become more flexible. It has also built her confidence: “I’m not a very outspoken person, but I’ve definitely learned to speak up for myself.”
Mentors have been a vital part of Barnhart’s personal and professional development, even by training her to do something as simple as tie a bag of parts properly: “If you don’t tie it tight enough, it spills everywhere, right?”
In the apprenticeship model, seasoned mentors pass on knowledge and expertise to apprentices, providing encouragement and support as these developing employees expand their knowledge and skill sets.
It’s a model that supports Gen Zs desire for mentorship and networking opportunities within an organization. According to a 2025 study by Deloitte, 86% of Gen Zs want mentorship and guidance to help them to develop soft skills like communication and leadership. Apprentices flourish with the support of mentors, becoming valuable members of the workforce with in-demand skills.
Hardworking apprentices contribute to the overall economic success of the Lehigh Valley and, in Barnhart’s case, the products they help to manufacture have wide-reaching, sometimes life-saving effects.
(Photos by Rick Kintzel)