MBI Announces First Ever Industry Apprenticeship Program in Collaboration with Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center
Tom Hardiman, CAE, is the executive director of the Modular Building Institute.
MAMC Executive Director Derek Scarbro with MBI Executive Director Tom Hardiman
Ask any manufacturer what their top three challenges are, and there’s a strong chance that finding and retaining employees ranks among their response.
MBI recently agreed to partner with Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center (MAMC) to provide bona fide USDOL-approved apprenticeship programs for the industry.
Under the agreement, MAMC will provide all the training for the manufacturer, provide all the approved curriculum, online training portals, and all necessary reporting to the Department of Labor for compliance. MAMC will also work with regional trade schools in the manufacturer’s region to create a pipeline of potential candidates.
This is all done under a federal grant to MAMC and is currently offered at no cost to the employer.
The modular “Industrial Manufacturing Technician” apprenticeship is a structured 1.5-year training program designed to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to work in modular manufacturing environments. This program allows manufacturers to offer a legitimate career path for factory workers, while improving their skills and efficiency.
As the modular industry in North America continues to grow, MBI is launching a new initiative aimed at making sure we have a skilled and trained workforce in place to deliver on the promise of industrialized construction, said MBI Executive Director Tom Hardiman.
MBI member Portable Solutions Group became the first company to sign up for the new program.
“We’re proud to lead the way as the first MBI member to join the new industry apprenticeship program,” said Robert Slagel of Portable Solutions Group (a division of VitalSpace). “Building a skilled workforce and creating real career pathways isn’t optional—it’s essential for our company and for the future of this industry.”
Several other factories are interested and are currently in conversations with MAMC about implementing the program. If your company is interested in this new apprenticeship program, or other professional and workforce development programs and services offered by MBI, please reach out to heather Packard, MBI’s Professional and Workforce Development Director, at heather@modular.org.
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