Power of manufacturing apprenticeship programs virtually showcased at South Carolina Creators Wanted tour stop
April 8, 2021
Panel spotlights BASF’s new North American apprenticeship program
The National Association of Manufacturers and The Manufacturing Institute continued their industry-leading Creators Wanted tour with a virtual “stop” at the BASF facility in Seneca, South Carolina, on April 8.
The event titled “Expanding Opportunities through Apprenticeships” featured representatives from leading chemical manufacturer BASF and Tri-County Technical College to discuss the opportunities created by manufacturing apprenticeship programs. The program highlighted the launch of BASF’s North American Apprenticeship Development Program (NAADP) and featured BASF operations technicians whose jobs focus on finding solutions to complex challenges.
“Apprenticeship programs are one of the most effective ways of developing a diverse and skilled pipeline of talent in production, manufacturing and utilities,” said BASF NAADP Project Implementation Manager Susan Emmerich. “The NAADP hopes to provide coveted hands-on experiences to those entering the manufacturing field, making highly-sought-out—and stable—careers in manufacturing more accessible to those who wish to pursue them.”
BASF’s NAADP will provide admitted apprentices with up to three years of on-the-job training while giving them the opportunity to earn industry-recognized credentials. The program will partner with local two-year technical colleges, like the Tri-County Technical College, to provide its educational component. Upon completion, students will be considered for full-time positions at BASF. Additionally, the program will place an emphasis on attracting female talent, a mission shared by both the NAADP and the Creators Wanted initiative.
“Tri-County Technical College provides an accessible two-year option to our local workforce looking to pursue a promising career in manufacturing,” said Dr. Galen DeHay, President of the Tri-County Technical College. “We are thrilled to join forces with BASF for the NAADP to ensure that our local students and apprentices have access to the education and hands-on experience they need to prepare them for careers in manufacturing in the future. And we’re grateful to have the Creators Wanted spotlight on our innovative program.”
“Manufacturers embrace apprenticeships because they provide a structure for new workers to earn while they learn. They are a great way to land a well-paying career without taking on loads of student debt. That’s why we are here in South Carolina to celebrate BASF’s NAADP and highlighting the varied pathways for apprenticeship that exist in the industry. Not only is BASF saying ‘Creators Wanted,’ they are saying, ‘We want help you get the skills you need,’” said Manufacturing Institute Executive Director Carolyn Lee. “The MI is proud to partner with organizations like BASF and the Tri-County Technical College who make high-quality manufacturing education more accessible to students across the country.”
Looking forward, the NAM and the MI will continue the Creators Wanted Tour with virtual stops across the country, focused on the mission of changing common misconceptions about careers in manufacturing and provide resources and opportunities that will help reduce the skills gap.
Click the corresponding links for more information about NAM, the MI, BASF and Tri-County Technical College.
NAM
The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs more than 12.3 million men and women, contributes $2.32 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and has the largest economic multiplier of any major sector and accounts for 63% of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.
The Manufacturing Institute
The MI grows and supports the manufacturing industry’s skilled workers for the advancement of modern manufacturing. The MI’s diverse initiatives support all workers in America, including women, veterans and students, through skills training programs, community building and the advancement of their career in manufacturing. As the workforce development and education partner of the NAM, the MI is a trusted adviser to manufacturers, equipping them with resources necessary to solve the industry’s toughest challenges. For more information on the MI, please visit www.themanufacturinginstitute.org.
BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. More than 110,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €59 billion in 2020. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at www.basf.com.
Tri-County Technical College
Tri-County Technical College, a public two-year community and technical college serving Anderson, Oconee and Pickens Counties in South Carolina, enrolls more than 9,000 students annually and offers more than 70 major fields of study, including computer technology, industrial electronics, mechatronics, nursing, and university transfer programs. Tri-County boasts the highest student success rate among two-year colleges in the state and ranks in the top one percent nationally for successful student transfers to four-year colleges and universities. To learn more, visit tctc.edu.
