Step by Step Guide – How to Enroll an Employee in the NJMEP Registered Apprenticeship Program

Approved by the United States Department of Labor, NJMEP is offering an Industrial Manufacturing Production Technician (IMPT) Registered Apprenticeship Program.

This program focuses on the four MSSC Certification Modules: Safety; Quality Practices & Measurement; Manufacturing Process & Production; Maintenance Awareness and Green Production. After working through each module, individuals will then demonstrate their understanding by passing a written exam in order to progress through to the next step in the program. 

The MSSC Credentials awarded for successful completion are industry recognized and the skills employees develop will directly carry over to their responsibilities on the shop floor and throughout the organization. 

To get started, follow these three steps.

Step 1: Request Appendix A – Work Process Schedule  and Related Instruction Outline – Industrial Manufacturing Production Technician

To receive the document in its entirety, contact Patricia Moran, NJMEP Director of Apprenticeship by email at info@NJMEP.org or call Tel. (973) 998-9801.

Understanding the curriculum is essential in order for employers to feel confident their employees will receive relevant education that directly applies to their work. The Appendix A – Work Process Schedule and Related Instruction Outline – Industrial Manufacturing Production Technician document includes a complete outline of the course curriculum for the IMPT Registered Apprenticeship Program. The course schedule will also be offered to clearly express the commitment from the employees’ end. A brief description of the curriculum found in Appendix A can be reviewed, below. 

Appendix A – Work Process Schedule and Related Instruction Outline – Industrial Manufacturing Production Technician Brief Overview

• Demonstration of good safety practices and related technical instruction (100 hours)
• Proper operation of production equipment (1000 hours)
• Producing quality products and quality assurance checks (500 hours)
• Interpreting technical documents and information (200 hours)
• Measuring and work inspections using mechanical tools and testing equipment (200 hours)
• Demonstration of knowledge of routine equipment maintenance (100 hours)
• Demonstration of knowledge of inventory and material processes (100 hours)
• Demonstration of knowledge of trends and the current state of business (100 hours)
• Demonstration of continuous improvement strategies (100 hours)
• Production equipment set-up (200 hours)
• Customizable local options – employers establish additional training in the form of competencies (136 hours)

Step 2: Letter of Intent

After reviewing Appendix A – Work Process Schedule and Related Instruction Outline – Industrial Manufacturing Production Technician and deciding that this program will be of value to an organization, a Letter of Intent is required to secure a spot in an upcoming IMPT Registered Apprenticeship Cohort. This document confirms the intent of an employer to commit at least one employee to the NJMEP IMPT Registered Apprenticeship Program. Employers will have options for which Cohort they would like to join. New Cohorts are beginning to open up throughout New Jersey so companies can choose the closest option to their place of business. 

To request a Letter of Intent template, contact Patricia Moran, NJMEP Director of Apprenticeships at info@NJMEP.org or call Tel. (973) 998-9801.

Once the Letter of Intent is completed and signed, the NJMEP Pro-Action Education Network™ team will be able to secure the required spot in an upcoming Cohort.

Step 3: NJMEP and Employer Collaboration

To create a seamless enrollment process, the NJMEP Pro-Action Education Network™ team will work with the employers to handle the required paperwork and documentation. A Registered Apprenticeship program can become an overwhelming challenge for an employer to manage without the right support. NJMEP has a team of professionals that are dedicated to helping an organization move through the process smoothly.

After the Letter of Intent is received, the NJMEP Pro-Action Education Network™ team walks employers through every step of the enrollment process. Companies are never left in the dark and are updated at every milestone. There are deliverables and compliances that must be met in order to maintain a productive Apprenticeship Program and NJMEP is responsible for keeping the employer within these guidelines so they receive all the benefits that come along with a USDOL Registered Apprenticeship program.

In three easy steps, any New Jersey manufacturer can begin upskilling its workforce to help the business grow and expand. The NJMEP IMPT Registered Apprenticeship Program is part of the Pro-Action Education Network™. For more information on this critical workforce development initiative available to New Jersey manufacturers, logistics companies, and STEM firms, reach out to NJMEP today!

This article appeared first in Manufacturing Matters! Sign up and keep up with the latest news, developments, and events for New Jersey manufacturing.