CCAM Launches Apprentice Academy Website

Prince George County, VA – Today the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM) launched the CCAM Apprentice Academy website:  www.ApprenticeAcademy.com.

In March of 2017, Forbes remarked 3.5 million manufacturing jobs will be needed in the next decade. Retirees and outsourcing have left America with a glaring need: a skilled advanced manufacturing workforce. Recently, CCAM was awarded a total of $12.65 million to begin the construction of its Advanced Manufacturing Apprentice Academy on the same campus as CCAM, in Prince George County, Virginia.

“Advanced manufacturing is an opportunity to bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S.,” said Kelly Marchese, principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP and federal supply chain leader. “To realize that goal, we will need both public and private organizations’ commitment to apprenticeship programs such as CCAM to develop the much-needed skilled workforce. This is the inflection point — we cannot blink.” Marchese worked with CCAM to develop their apprentice academy strategic plan.

The CCAM Apprentice Academy will galvanize leaders from industry, academia and government to build a bridge that brings people into the advanced manufacturing workforce.

Potential employers will have direct involvement in the training process leading to an organic opportunity for long-term job placement. Each student is paired with an employer sponsor upon entering the Academy, with goal of transitioning apprentices into full-time positions at those companies when their training is complete.

“Our plan is to deliver a truly sustainable advanced manufacturing workforce pipeline, which at completion, can be replicated by other communities throughout the country,” says William T. Powers president and chief executive officer of CCAM.

“We’d like thank The Mathews Group for creating the new Apprentice Academy website,” says Betsey Odell, CCAM director of development. “Their time management and deft key messages kept this project on point.”

About CCAM:
Since 2011, the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM) is where the best of industry, academia and government come together to solve global advanced manufacturing challenges. Members of the center utilize CCAM’s resources of talent, tools, and technology to build a critical impact on advanced manufacturing. Joining CCAM saves leading industry members valuable resources, improves methodologies, and increases new product introductions. CCAM delivers solutions to modern manufacturing. www.CCAM-VA.com

About CCAM Apprentice Academy:
America’s factories have in-demand jobs that go unfilled due to an underserved skilled workforce. The CCAM Advanced Manufacturing Apprentice Academy wants to change that by creating an ecosystem of advanced manufacturing resources from industry, academia and government. Utilizing an “earn as you learn” approach, the Academy will train skilled workers prepared to fill advanced manufacturing industry jobs and realize a career in innovative American factories. www.ApprenticeAcademy.com

Media Contact: Betsey Odell
(804) 722-3744
Betsey.Odell@CCAM-VA.com