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GERMAN AMERICAN CHAMBER OF Commerce, PITTSBURGH Chapter

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  • 11 Jan 2022 1:46 PM | Anonymous

    Many argue that there is a skills gap in Pittsburgh and beyond. In particular, the manufacturing industry is currently facing challenges, including the loss of skilled workers due to retirement, structural problems in the education system, low attractiveness of careers in manufacturing, and an overall shorter duration of employment due to a high degree of flexibility in the US labor market.

    To combat this skills gap and drive economic development in the Greater Pittsburgh region, the Pittsburgh Chapter of the German American Chamber of Commerce (GACC) initiated several workforce development programs. The GACC offers both Pre-Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship programs, allowing the opportunity for high schoolers, high school graduates, and employees already working in a company to benefit from a German-based dual vocational training concept. The programs combine classroom training along with hands-on experiences at one of the twenty participating companies. Companies get a tailored training program, greater employee loyalty and access to a high-quality candidate pool. All of the Apprenticeship programs are registered by the State of Pennsylvania’s Department of Labor and Industry and have been approved by the Pennsylvania Apprenticeship and Training Council and the Federal Committee on Apprenticeship. Apprentices have the opportunity to choose from one of the four programs: Mechatronics Technician, Polymer Process Technician, Sales Engineer, or CAD/CAM Technical Designer. Upon successful completion of the on-the-job training and classroom part of the program, Apprentices graduate with an occupation-specific Certification from the partnering community college, their journeyman papers, the German Apprenticeship Certificate and their Associate’s Degree.

    One of the companies participating in the Apprenticeship program offered by the German American Chamber of Commerce is Ensinger Inc. Ensinger, founded in 1966 in Nufringen, Germany, focuses on manufacturing high-performance engineering thermoplastics. By combining their extrusion, casting, compression and injection molding expertise, Ensinger provides their customers with a variety of innovative designs for their respective industries – including aerospace, automotive, oil production, medical and food technology, mechanical and electrical engineering, semiconductor and more. With 35 production and sales locations throughout Europe, North America, South America and Asia, Ensinger is represented in each of the major industrial regions, employing a workforce of 2,600. 

    Since 2017 the GACC, Pittsburgh Chapter has been working closely with the American headquarters in Washington, PA to help them overcome their employment issues and high turnover rate. Currently, Ensinger hires Mechatronics and Polymer Process Technician Apprentices. During the two-and-a-half-year program, students rotate through the different departments in the company and get to work in the maintenance department, shipping/receiving, in the lab and on the shop floor to operate high-end plastic extrusion machines.

    One of the German American Chamber of Commerce Apprentices who worked for Ensinger was Andrew Knez. As a dedicated Apprentice, Andrew was named Apprentice of the Year in 2020 at the annual Ice Gala,  hosted by the Pittsburgh Chapter of the German American Chamber of Commerce. As an Apprentice, Andrew worked on projects with the extrusion and finishing departments, and his work was applied to refurbishing older equipment, restoring mechanical components and installing new technology controls to provide state-of-the-art machines at a fraction of the cost of new machines. At the start of the Apprenticeship, Andrew already had a passion for robotics and programmable logic control, but he possessed little mechanical skills. As he progressed through his training, he quickly developed electro-mechanical capabilities and diversified his skills across all disciplines. This development enabled Andrew to complete complex assignments with confidence. Along with Andrew’s self-motivation and trainer testimonies of him being dependable, polite, and humble, the German American Chamber of Commerce was proud to name Andrew the Apprentice of the Year.

    Andrew was part of the first GACC Apprenticeship Cohort that graduated in Spring of 2021 with a CCAC Certificate for Mechatronics, his journeyman papers from the Department of Labor and Industry  and his German Apprenticeship Certificate in Mechatronics from the DIHK (German Chamber of Industry and Commerce, that oversees the Apprenticeship Program in Germany).

    With the grant support from Governor Wolf and the Department of Community and Economic Development, Andrew is one of the many Apprentices that has benefited from the Apprenticeship program that is actively working to close the skills gap in the manufacturing sector of the Western Pennsylvania region. To learn more, please visit the GACC website.

  • 17 Aug 2021 12:49 PM | Anonymous

    It's final exam time for our first Apprenticeship Cohort of #Mechatronics and #Polymer Technicians. In their practical exams they demonstrate their hands-on skills in front of our exam board. Our exams are based on the "gold standard" of the German Apprenticeship Programs facilitated by the German Chamber of Commerce. Upon successful completion they receive the globally recognized Ausbildungszertifikat (German Apprenticeship Certificate) by the DIHK. Congratulations to our graduates from AUMA Actuators, Inc - USA. and rose plastic! 

    Jason Jurisic (Polymer Process Technician at rose plastic) changing tolling and a mold at a blow molding machine in front of the GACC exam board

    Andrew Holup (Mechatronics Technician at rose plastic) had to inspect and change a leaky hydraulic cylinder at a blow molding machine

  • 13 Jul 2021 1:39 PM | Anonymous

    Teaching someone else is the best way to learn! Congratulations to our three train-the-trainer workshop graduates from Veka Inc. They went through our virtual mentorship training and are ready to teach Apprentices and new hires! 

    Read more about our trainer & mentorship workshop!

  • 23 Jun 2021 10:50 AM | Anonymous

    If you are mechanically inclined, interested in adding value through manufacturing, looking for the stability of a growing global company – an Ensinger career is for you. As an Extrusion Operator, you will be part of a team responsible for the safe, productive operation of a market leading company’s innovative facility.

    Ensinger processes high performance engineering plastics at our North American headquarters in North Strabane Township. Serving a growing market for engineering plastics, Ensinger combines our processing and extrusion expertise with a deep knowledge of high-performance polymers and applications. Located in Washington County since 1985, Ensinger has grown year over year.

    To support our continued growth Ensinger has recently constructed a 65,000 sq. ft. warehousing and shipping facility. 

    Extrusion Operator - Level 1

  • 8 Jun 2021 11:47 AM | Anonymous

    Thank you to all those who have attended the 2021 SelectUSA Summit so far! Earlier this morning, Rachel Mauer, President of the GACC Pittsburgh Chapter, was the moderator for the "Developing Innovative Apprenticeship Programs" panel.

    The panel highlighted the importance of innovative training and apprenticeship programs that prepare the local workforce for success. You can find more information about the GACC's Pre-Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship programs here: https://www.gaccpit.com/en/workforce-development


  • 20 May 2021 7:00 AM | Anonymous

    On June 8th from 10-11AM, join us at the SelectUSA Summit! Rachel Mauer, President of the GACC Pittsburgh Chapter, is moderating the panel “Developing Innovative Apprenticeship Programs.” This panel will highlight innovative training and apprenticeship programs that prepare the local workforce for success!

    In addition, join us for the panel with Hennecke Group Inc. CEO and GACC active member, Lutz Heidrich! "Partnering with Community Colleges to Find your Workforce" will be held June 10th from 10-11AM. This panel discusses the opportunities community colleges offer students related to workforce readiness.

    Don’t miss out on this high-profile event that helps promote foreign direct investment in the country! The SelectUSA Summit will be held virtually, and you can register here: http://ow.ly/UfuD50EQNvs

  • 11 May 2021 8:00 AM | Anonymous

    We are excited to announce a new partnership with BotsIQ, along with their new Pre-Apprenticeship Program!

    Through hands-on competitions, BotsIQ introduces students to manufacturing and STEM. After participating in the robotics program, students can then accelerate in one of our four Apprenticeship Occupations!

  • 21 Apr 2021 10:19 AM | Anonymous


    We are proud to announce that we just registered our 4th Apprenticeship Occupation with the PA Department of Labor & Industry and can now start recruiting interested students to become our first CAD/CAM Technical Design Apprentices!

    CAD/CAM Technical Designer utilize their extensive software knowledge to produce complex projects involving 2D images (surface modeling) and 3D images (solid modeling). They are able to analyze a problem using their mathematical and engineering background and come up with a creative solution. CAD/CAM Technical Designers are working closely with the Engineering team and customers on a variety of projects.

    Contact us if you have further questions or want to start building your own talent pipeline of CAD/CAM Designers and/or our other Apprenticeship Occupations. Email Lisa Conturo at lconturo@gaccpit.com

    https://www.gaccpit.com/.../dual-apprenticeship-program

    #gaccpit #startyourdayright #ApprenticeshipPrograms #apprentices #CAD #modelling #ComputerAidedDesign #computeraidedmachining #workforcedevelopment #pittsburgh


  • 20 Apr 2021 11:46 AM | Anonymous

    It happened - we have a YouTube Channel. We will be uploading more videos about our #Apprenticeshipprograms and #events shortly. Jump over to our channel now to see our Veka Inc. Apprentices in action!

    If you don't want to miss anything - hit the subscribe button and activate the bell to get notified (isn't this what all professional YouTubers say these days??  )


    #gaccpit #youtube #letsgetgrowing #workforcedevelopment #apprentices #videos #videography #apprenticeships #pittsburgh #mechatronics #polymer #vekainc


  • 13 Apr 2021 12:00 PM | Anonymous

      ... Brice Williams from Veka Inc.!

    At our 6th Annual Ice Gala this year, we recognized and honored our Apprentice of the Year recipient, Brice Williams from Veka. The Apprentice of the Year award is presented to an apprentice that demonstrates exceptional skills and abilities in and outside the classroom.

    During the selection process, company trainers nominated their apprentice(s) and provided written descriptions of the apprentice’s work ethic, training progress, leadership skills, and other relevant qualities. Then, the trainer nominations were sent to the apprentices’ instructors at Community College of Allegheny County, who added their performance in the classroom. Finally, in the third step, the feedback from the trainers and instructors was sent to a panel of judges representing education, industry, and workforce development:

    Brice's trainer described him an extremely driven individual who always seeks “get the job done right.” His ability to think through complex problems and apply solutions that effectively decrease the frequency of breakdowns have led many production personnel to mistake Brice as a seasoned technician. In addition, his excellent communication skills, driven attitude, and effective leadership qualities have allowed Brice to become a stellar role model for new apprentices.

    Congratulations, Brice! You more than deserve it!

    #gaccpit #apprenticeoftheyear #apprentice #apprenticeshippprogram #icegala #icegala2021 #award #ceremony #photooftheday

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