Richard J. Daley College and the City Colleges’ Workforce Solutions team launched National Apprenticeship Week with a Manufacturing Apprenticeship Summit. The event gathered manufacturing professionals, HR teams, and employers to discuss apprenticeship programs at Daley College and their potential to enhance organizational talent pools.

Binjamin Davis, a maintenance electrician at Mauser Packaging Solutions and an alumnus of Daley College's manufacturing technology program, shared his experiences. "I was accepted into the ICATT program and started my three-year apprenticeship at Mauser," he stated. He expressed how the program allowed him to apply academic knowledge in an industrial setting and marked the beginning of his career.

David Girzadas, Dean of Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing at Daley, emphasized the mutual benefits of apprenticeships for all parties involved. Industry leaders like the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center also endorsed these programs for bridging workforce needs with effective talent development strategies.

Attendees toured Daley College’s Manufacturing Technology and Engineering Center (MTEC), gaining insights into hands-on training using advanced equipment. They also learned about establishing apprenticeship programs aligned with organizational goals.

National Apprenticeship Week underscores the significance of such programs in creating a skilled workforce, supporting economic growth, and offering pathways to high-demand careers.