Category: Franklin Apprenticeships News

Solving the IoT Skills Gap, One Apprentice at a Time

New Podcast Series Announcement: Navigating Your Road Forward as an AutoMOtive! Apprentice

This month, Franklin Apprenticeships will be releasing a new podcast series to help dislocated workers in the State of Missouri learn about the opportunities available as a modern apprentice in the automotive industry.

We understand that downsizing and layoffs were never a part of your plan. And now, as a worker making a mid-career transition, you want to find the right opportunity to excel in a stable position and earn a comfortable living without going into massive debt.

Missouri AutoMOtive! is a partnership between the Missouri Division of Workforce Development and our company that will put you on the fast track to becoming a certified Automotive Service Technician in a year (or less).

But, we realize you may have a lot of questions about this apprenticeship. Is this a good opportunity for me (and my family)? Why the automotive industry? Is this program for real? What can I expect? How do I enroll?

Our new podcast series will explore everything you need to know about life as a Franklin AutoMOtive! apprentice. We will help navigate your questions about our program, the industry, and what to expect. For example, our first few episodes will cover topics such as:

Reasons to consider an automotive apprenticeship
What a typical day may look like for you earning and learning as an apprentice
The process behind being matched with your ideal employer

Our program might seem too good to be true, but it’s real, and it’s a great opportunity if you’re a dislocated worker in the State.

So keep an eye (and ear) out for our upcoming episodes to jump start your fresh, new career! Or, contact us to shift your search for a brand new career into high gear today.

Baltimore Business Journal Highlights New Partnership Between Franklin Apprenticeships and the State of Maryland

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This Monday, Franklin Apprenticeships officially announced that is has partnered with the State of Maryland to provide local employers with a solution to their lack of qualified applicants in the IT arena – where the demand for tech workers is projected to be among the fastest growing.

The Baltimore Business Journal covered the news, and highlighted how the shortage of skilled tech workers is a significant problem in the U.S., with hundreds of thousands of unfilled cyber positions at firms across the country. It was also noted that Franklin Apprenticeships is initially delivering an IT help desk program in Maryland, and plans to soon offer training for network engineers and cybersecurity specialists as well.

As quoted by Kim Nichols, Franklin Apprenticeships will launch the first apprenticeship cohort in July – with new cohorts being added each month. Groups of 50 apprentices will also be designated a “success coach,” who will monitor each apprentice’s progress as they work through the education and job training sessions.

Nichols said the IT help desk program will act as a pilot for Maryland companies to become more familiar with the concept of apprenticeships, while training employees for an important but relatively low-risk position.

“We see this as a great opportunity to build a skilled pipeline. We hear from lots of employers all the time who are struggling to find talent,” Nichols told the Baltimore Business Journal. “This way, they may have to be open to bringing someone in who may not have all the skills they’re looking for, but though an apprenticeship program can be trained up to meet their needs.”

Click here to read the press release and here for the full article.

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Franklin Apprenticeships Brings Its Digital Apprenticeships Program to Maryland

Franklin Apprenticeships announced today, May 20, 2019, a press release communicating the benefits of a new partnership with the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation to bring its Digital Apprenticeship program to the State. The program is a response to the growing demand from Maryland employers who need assistance filling their talent pipeline with skilled tech workers – one of the most important workforce issues facing businesses, today.

The Digital Apprenticeships program applies a proven model that builds a motivated, skilled workforce by attracting, training, and certifying a diverse pool of career ready, job-ready candidates. Program participants receive recruitment, on boarding, and mentoring support — including certified Success Coaches to maximize apprenticeship completion, industry certification, and success rates.

Initial candidate roles are focused on IT Help Desk, but plans are underway for expansion into Network Engineer and Cyber Security Specialists.

Interested employers and job seekers are encouraged to apply.

Franklin Apprenticeships And State Of Missouri Announce Partnership

In a recent press release from April 8, 2019, Franklin Apprenticeships announced a key partnership with the State of Missouri aimed at creating modernized apprenticeship programs in both the automotive and IT industries. This groundbreaking new program will solve skilled labor shortages, create new middle skills career pathways, and help communities in Missouri attract new talent.

The State of Missouri has been working diligently since 2016 to help its displaced workers, students and graduates find sustainable and successful careers. The new Missouri Digital and AutoMOtive! Programs will increase the skill and education levels of its residents while enhancing the states competitiveness in these industries.

Franklin Apprenticeships offers expertise and a proven model of apprenticeship development and were engaged to bring employers to the table to address the local economic needs of Missouri and to develop a skilled workforce. This expertise and collaboration with Missouri’s Department Of Workforce Development will help fill jobs that Missouri employers need to improve productivity and innovation and provide opportunities for Missouri citizens to learn in-demand skills and create new careers.

Franklin Apprenticeships CEO Discusses Tomorrow’s Advanced Manufacturing Talent – Gen Z

In a recent article published in AdvancedManufacturing.org, Kim Nichols, Franklin Apprenticeships Founder and CEO, explains why Gen Z is a “match made by mother nature” for Advanced Manufacturers and apprenticeships.

Apprenticeship programs are becoming increasingly attractive to manufacturers, worldwide. Yet, despite testimony from progressive US manufacturers who leverage apprenticeships to develop, grow, and retain workers in an effort to solve their skilled labor shortage – US adoption is still years behind other countries.

Gen Zers are not only perfect candidates for a modernization of the US manufacturing industry, but also for a modernization of the US apprenticeship industry. This younger generation naturally embraces and executes the changes necessary for both of these emerging industries to continue to grow and thrive, a different approach than their millennial predecessors.

Read the article and find out why.

Franklin Apprenticeships Beta Launches “AskFranklin”, America’s First National Apprenticeship Job Board

March 12, 2018 (BALTIMORE, MD) –– In an announcement made today, Franklin Apprenticeships beta launched “AskFranklin”, America’s first National Apprenticeship Job Board. AskFranklin is the first national apprenticeship job board of its kind that connects employers, aspiring apprentices, and apprenticeship services providers.

In addition to apprenticeship job listings, AskFranklin includes content and videos supporting a modern apprenticeship movement. Candidates can use tools to better understand their unique strengths and passions. Then, candidates can align their personal success factors with apprenticeship career opportunities.

Apprenticeships in the U.S. have been expanding slowly, one employer at a time. Countries with successful apprenticeship systems use national programs and portals to support apprenticeship growth. Using these best practices, AskFranklin provides a central location to help more people understand the value of apprenticeships. Employers and candidates can easily connect on this new national apprenticeship job board.

The first mover in the US marketplace dedicated to fast tracking and growing a new Apprenticeship Movement, the Franklin Apprenticeships consulting and capacity building services are focused on unlocking the potential for America to regain competitive edge in high growth industries. Learn more about Franklin Apprenticeships.

Read the full news release here.

OneFile Introduces Apprenticeship Software to US Audience

An Interview with Co-founder Susanna Lawson, Queen’s Award Winner for Innovation

In October 2015, Susanna Lawson, One File Ltd Co- founder and Sales Director and Queen’s Award Winner for Innovation presented OneFile to the US market at the Transatlantic Apprenticeship Exchange Forum. OneFile is a UK company, established in 2002, which works on building and managing software applications for the training and education sectors.

We interviewed Susanna to learn more about OneFile, how it’s resonating with apprenticeship providers, and its big plans for expansion in the US.

First of all, how would you describe OneFile as a company?

We are not an apprenticeship company directly – we supply cloud based software to apprenticeship training companies. OneFile’s portfolio can be accessed 24/7 from any device with internet access, which means that our current customers can access apprentice portfolios remotely even if in different countries. The company’s motto is “Turn paperwork into technology”.

Why did you decide to focus on this, and how are you working to achieve this goal?

Having been an assessor, IQA and centre manager in the apprenticeship sector, I know first-hand how bureaucratic and time consuming the paperwork is. We wanted to build technology to take that frustration away.

We look at the processes within the sector that are often manual and labour intensive, we speak to our customers as to how they perceive it and where their pain points are. Then we build the software to solve the problem or issues they are facing. This means that a huge amount of time is saved; quality improves as there is more time to concentrate on planning and feedback and as a result apprentices are more engaged.

OneFile is having a huge impact – Exeter College is reporting returns of investment of over 1000%, and also another training provider has reported saving 84% on their printing and paper costs. It is estimated that OneFile has saved assessors over 25 million driving miles – which is the equivalent to driving over 1000 times around the world.

When and why did you first think about expanding your business to the US?

Our customers reported that they weren’t able to extend their own geographical reach and train apprentices located further distances from their base. We already had international customers in the US and UAE and we wanted to explore the possibilities of targeting those countries.

The opportunity arose to travel to the States with the Transatlantic Apprenticeship Exchange Forum so we jumped at the chance to be part of that trip. It was a great opportunity to find out more about the apprenticeship model in the States, what their growth plans were and the challenges they were facing. The OneFile platform resonated with the apprenticeship providers out there as they faced the same challenges as providers in the UK. We were able to speak to many providers and learn from each other.

On the back of the initial visit I was asked to speak at the annual workforce development conference for the American Association of Colleges in New Orleans on the International Perspectives of Apprentices. This again provided the opportunity to speak to many community colleges and understand their challenges.

Do you have any advice for companies thinking of expanding their business in the USA?

Make sure you understand how the federal and state legislation works. It is completely different to how the UK works. Each state can run in a completely different way and you will need to understand each separately. Also, understand the sales process for each sector you are trying to get into. Be clear on your strategy – are you planning on starting in one city, one state, or country wide? The distances to travel are huge, expensive and time consuming.

Finally, what does OneFile have in store for 2017?

OneFile are committed to supporting our customers with the apprenticeship reforms which are happening. This includes the new Apprenticeship Standards which are being implemented and the new Apprenticeship Levy. We have new standards workshops coming up and over 500 customers have signed up to attend.

We are launching our new Learning Management System which includes a virtual learning environment. We are also launching a cloud based CPD product where individuals can log CPD activity and share it with relevant parties.

New Company, Franklin Apprenticeships, Aims To Modernize American Apprenticeships

May 31, 2017, Washington DC. –– In an announcement made today, Franklin Apprenticeships, dedicated to modernizing and organizing an American apprenticeship industry, launches its innovative new company. Aimed at revitalizing an age-old practice to bring hope to America’s 21st century workforce issues, Franklin Apprenticeships wants to invigorate practical, real-life workforce training and development.

Originally announced at the Transatlantic Apprenticeship Exchange Forum in Washington, DC in November 2016, the founders at Franklin Apprenticeships have been engaged in aggressively securing and supporting apprenticeship programs that are set to begin this year. These efforts aim to bridge the skills gaps between employees and employers, as well as workforce development entities that need to attract and retain young workers in their communities.

Read the full news release here.