Member News

South Central Pennsylvania is recognized as a manufacturing leader - offering a highly diverse manufacturing base with an international reach and a very large workforce. It’s a high tech leader with an exceptional transportation infrastructure. The Manufacturers’ Association has a long history of developing and providing employer driven technical training to its member manufacturers and the regional community. This strong history has led to many community, workforce and economic development partnerships.

The key to retaining and growing the region’s economy is its investment in a highly skilled workforce – communities who are able to offer a high skilled training system, and a deep talented workforce, will be able to retain and expand their highly valued manufacturing base.  

Challenges for manufacturers continue in South Central PA – especially the continued lack of a skilled workforce sought by small and large manufacturers alike. The percentage of manufacturing workers over the age of 55 is now at 28% - significantly higher than the average in the state – with some manufacturing industries approaching 40%! This tidal wave of talent leaving the workforce is stark – in the US over 10,000 baby boomers a day are retiring and leaving the workforce – resulting in significant loss in experience and knowledge that had been developed over many years of training investment and on-the-job learning by employees.  

To support the dramatic need of skilled workers, the Manufacturers’ Association operates a successful Apprenticeship Program supporting the metal working industry sector. The program is an employer-driven industry sector partnership formed in 2005 to develop and offer the related studies portion required by registered apprenticeships. The curriculum was developed by employers with the Manufacturers’ Association, and since the start, the program has continued to expand and offer registered apprenticeship training curriculum in several programs of study, including machinists, tool and die, maintenance mechanics, and maintenance technicians.  In 2014-2015 the metal working skills consortia included 34 participating manufacturers and 84 full- and part-time apprentices enrolled in the program.  

A major accomplishment by the apprenticeship program this past year was to announce a course credit sharing agreement between the apprenticeship program and Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, located in Lancaster. This agreement creates a powerful pathway for our apprenticeship students who can earn up to 48 credits to apply toward an associate's degree from the college. Apprentices now can expand their educational opportunities to both apprenticeship and an associate's degree.

The Manufacturers’ Association has a long history of developing and providing employer-driven, technical training for manufacturers across the region. This strong history has led to many community, workforce, and economic development partnerships that have evolved over time. The Manufacturers’ Association has operated for the past ten years with SCPA Works – the regional workforce development board - the Advanced Manufacturing Industry Partnership in South Central PA. The role has allowed the association to work closely with workforce development boards, educational providers, community organizations and county economic development groups on addressing the workforce challenges for manufacturers.  

For further information on the Apprenticeship Program or other workforce initiatives offered by The Manufacturers’ Association please go to: www.mascpa.org.