AART in the 2010s
2010 June 7-11
AART Executive Committee
Holiday Inn Fisherman’s Wharf
San Francisco, CA
Host: AART Executive Committee
Topics of discussion for the 68th AART meeting included related instruction, determining the value of registered apprenticeship, ROI of apprenticeship programs, competency based training, online training, articulation agreements, interim credentials, and partnerships with community colleges and technical schools.
The group visited the training programs at Agilent Technologies and Petaluma High School on Thursday and toured their facilities. The high school had a novel approach to funding its vocational programs that could serve as a model to other parts of the country. The AART Banquet speaker was Mrs. Juliet Dozier, Program Development Manager, Shabot Las Positas Community College, who spoke on the impact that technical training programs have on economic development in the San Francisco Bay area.
The Friday presentations included:
- Mr. Eric Gearhart, SkillsUSA, “National Competency Assessments for Technical Occupations.”
- Mr. Dave Asheim, Train by Cell, “Using cellphones to conduct technical training programs.”
- Mr. Todd Yamamoto and Mrs. Patty Garcia, U.S. Department of Labor, “USDoL Update.”
2011 October 10-14
AART Executive Committee
Holiday Inn- Philadelphia Historic District
Philadelphia, PA
Host: AART Executive Committee
Topics of discussion for the 69th AART meeting included the US government’s strategic plan for apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeship programs, the registered apprenticeship-community college consortium (RACC), national events recognizing the 75th anniversary of the Fitzgerald Act, the Right Skills Now initiative, the problems associated with locating skilled workers, the new AART website, accelerated learning, ROI of apprenticeship programs, competency based training and blended learning.
The group visited the training program at the US Mint and toured their facilities. The US Mint training model was unique in light of the tight security and quality control requirements. Parallels could be drawn to any industry that employs people required to handle valuable items from the start of their employment.
There were no Friday presentations.
2012 October 8-12
AART Executive Committee
Crowne Plaza- Hampton Marina Hotel
Hampton, VA
Host: AART Executive Committee
Topics of discussion for the 70th AART meeting included related instruction, competency based programs, apprentice pay, establishing proper culture, communicating to senior management, Learning Management Systems (LMS) and computerized occupational simulations. The AART was recognized by the US Department of Labor as an Apprenticeship Pioneer and Trailblazer at their 75th anniversary celebration of the Fitzgerald Act in Washington, DC.
The group visited the training programs at NASA Langley and Liebherr. NASA Langley is a major player in the aerospace industry. Many of the breakthroughs in space flight and aerospace took place in their wind tunnels, some of which are several city blocks long. Their staff gave us a presentation on their apprenticeship program and how it was structured. Liebherr is a global leader in the heavy equipment industry and competes with the likes of Caterpillar and Hitachi. They build very large equipment. Their top selling dump truck has tires that are 13 feet in diameter. Their staff gave us a presentation on their apprenticeship program and how it operated.
The Friday presentations were:
- Apprenticeship staff, Huntington Ingalls-Newport News, “Adding Value to Apprenticeship Programs.”
- Apprenticeship staff, Huntington Ingalls- Newport News, “Student Perceptions of Instructional Methods.”
2013 October 15-18
AART Executive Committee
Crowne Plaza-Virginia Beach Town Center
Virginia Beach, VA
Host: Huntington Ingalls- Newport News Shipbuilding
Topics of discussion for the 71st AART meeting included blended learning models, dual outcome programs granting associate degrees along with journeyworker certificates, AART dues, interacting with community college registrars, hybrid apprenticeship models, compensation models, tracking apprentice progress, and teacher certifications .
The group visited the training program at Stihl USA and toured their facilities. The company manufactures a full line of blowers, trimmers, brushcutters and multi-task tools as well as the number one selling brand of chain saws worldwide. They restarted their apprenticeship program three years ago and gave us an overview of the program and a presentation on lessons learned during the restarting process. Below is a brief video of their facility.
The Friday presentations included:
- Dr. Alok Verma, International Society of Agile Manufacturing, “Preparing Future Generations of Shipbuilders and Mariners.”
- Dr. Garry Carter, Huntington Ingalls, “Predicting Completion Rates at Technical Schools- Results of a Correlation Study.”
- Dr. Robert Lerman, American University, “The American Institute for Innovative Apprenticeship.”
2014 October 15-17
AART Executive Committee
Hilton Garden Inn
Pascagoula, MS
Host: Huntington Ingalls- Ingalls Shipbuilding
Topics of discussion for the 72nd AART meeting included regulatory updates, new federal apprenticeship initiatives, apprenticeship return on investment, employment selection, blended learning and articulation agreements for college credit. The roundtable discussion kicked off on Wednesday with member companies providing significant development reports on apprenticeship and training. Presentations from Mr. Vince Warren, Newport News Shipbuilding and Mr. Tee McCovey, Workforce Development Director Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District closed out the first day. A networking event was held that evening in Biloxi, MS.
Thursday’s session began with a tour of Ingalls Shipbuilding and its new 70,000 square-foot Haley Reeves Barbour Maritime Training Academy. The new academy was specifically built to house Ingalls’ thriving apprentice programs. Round table discussion continued Thursday afternoon with more significant development reports and related questions previously submitted by member companies and guests. Thursday evening’s banquet was held at the Hilton Garden Inn, Pascagoula, MS, with Mr. Richard Schenk, Vice President of Program Management, Test and Trials at Ingalls Shipbuilding providing remarks.
2015 October 13-16
AART Executive Committee
Hyatt House Charlotte Airport
Charlotte, NC
Host: Siemens Energy
Topics of discussion for the 73rd AART meeting included novel blended learning approaches, new apprenticeship recruitment and selection processes, apprenticeship compensation strategies, evaluating apprentice reviewers, youth apprenticeship programs, high school pre-apprenticeship programs, training resources and copyright compliance, and ensuring quality of OJT instruction. The roundtable discussion kicked off on Wednesday with member companies providing significant development reports on apprenticeship and training. Wednesday presentations included:
- Dr. J. Scott Christman, Huntington Ingalls Shipbuilding- Newport News, “Enhancing Apprentice Success Through the Supervision Of The Work Experience.”
- Ms. Carla Whitlock, Apprenticeship Carolina, “Apprenticeship South Carolina.”
- Mr. Garfield Garner, US Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship, “National Apprenticeship Initiative & The LEADERS Program.”
- Mr. Andreas Thurner, Blum Inc., “Apprenticeship 2000 – How It Worked For Charlotte Area Companies.”
Thursday’s session began with a tour of the Siemens Energy plant in Charlotte. The facility manufactures power generating equipment and has a novel apprenticeship program partnering with 11 local high schools. Round table discussion continued Thursday afternoon with more significant development reports and related questions previously submitted by member companies and guests. Thursday evening’s banquet was held at the Hyatt House in Charlotte, NC, with Dr. Pam Howze, Director of Work Based Learning, North Carolina Department of Commerce/NC Works, providing the remarks.
2016 October 11-14
AART Executive Committee
Crowne Plaza Greenville
Greenville, SC
Host: AART Executive Committee
Topics of discussion for the 74th AART meeting included virtual reality training, WIOA, video classification software, utilizing body cameras for training, program marketing, legal aspects, simulation software, FLSA and attraction and retention of apprentices. The roundtable discussion kicked off on Wednesday with member companies providing significant development reports on apprenticeship and training. Wednesday presentations included:
- Dr. J. Scott Christman, Huntington Ingalls Shipbuilding- Newport News, “AART and Legislative Initiatives.”
- Mr. Todd Estes, Tidewater Community College, “The Apprenticeship Institute.”
Thursday’s session began with a tour of the Manufacturing Innovation Center (BMW, Michelin, Bosch, Rexroth) followed by a tour of the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research in Greenville. Round table discussion continued Thursday afternoon with more significant development reports and related questions previously submitted by member companies and guests. Thursday evening’s banquet was held at the Crowne Plaza in Greenville, SC, with Dr. Robert Lerman, Emeritus Professor of Economics at American University and Research Fellow at IZA in Bonn, Germany, providing the remarks.
2017 October 10-13
AART Executive Committee
Hyatt House Charlotte Airport
Charlotte, NC
Host: Siemens Energy
Topics of discussion for the 75th AART meeting included technical training entrance requirements, instructor training and assessment, secondary school programs, student compensation and bonuses, industry certifications, documentation systems and Career Readiness. The Roundtable discussion kicked off on Wednesday with member companies providing significant development reports on technical training. Wednesday presentations included:
- Dr. J. Scott Christman, Bath Iron Works, “Legislative Initiatives.”
- Ms. Dawn Braswell, Siemens Energy, “The Siemens Apprenticeship Program.”
- Mr. Roger Collins, Siemens Energy, “NC Works.”
Thursday’s session began with a tour of the 185,000 square foot Siemens Energy plant in Spartanburg, SC which manufactures busway and lighting panels, smart grid and energy automation technology, power supply for industrial plants, and high-voltage transmission systems. Round table discussion continued Thursday afternoon with more significant development reports and related questions previously submitted by member companies and guests. Thursday evening’s banquet was held at the Hyatt House in Charlotte, NC, with Mr. Jeff Phelan, VP of Energy Management, Siemens Energy, providing the remarks.
2018 October 10-11
AART Executive Committee
Hampton Inn and Suites
Pittsburgh, PA
Host: Oberg Industries
Topics of discussion for the 76th AART meeting included existing registered apprenticeship programs versus IRAP, community college partnerships, developing mentors and OJT trainers, online training provider evaluation, adult learning style assessments, technical training for emerging technologies, return on investment methodologies and registered pre-apprenticeship programs. The Roundtable discussion kicked off on Wednesday with member companies providing significant development reports on technical training. There were no presentations this year because the banquet was moved to Wednesday evening. The banquet speaker was Mr. James Foti, Region II Director of the Office of Apprenticeship at the US Department of Labor. The banquet was held on the Gateway Clipper Riverboat in Pittsburgh, PA and the banquet topic was “Understanding IRAP.”
Thursday’s session began with a tour of the Oberg Industries campus in Freeport, PA and an explanation of their 50 year old apprenticeship program. Oberg Industries is a leader in the Advanced Manufacturing sector specializing in providing high tolerance, high precision solutions for the defense, medical, aerospace and energy industries. Round table discussion continued Thursday afternoon with more significant development reports and related questions previously submitted by member companies and guests. Thursday’s activities concluded with a members-only business meeting.
2019 October 30-31
AART Executive Committee
Hampton Inn and Suites
Bath, ME
Host: General Dynamics- Bath Iron Works
Topics of discussion for the 77th AART meeting included apprentice compensation, Conscious Leadership, free online assessment tests, apprenticeship grants, occupational simulators, financial skills, virtual reality training, increasing minority participation in apprenticeship, veteran recruitment, Skills Bridge Program, apprenticeship program costs, National Guideline Standards and women in apprenticeships. The Round table discussion kicked off on Wednesday with member companies providing significant development reports on technical training. The banquet speaker was Mrs. Pamela Howze, Special Assistant to the President/Executive Director of Apprenticeship, BioNetwork, Customized Training, and Work Based Learning, Wake Technical Community College. She spoke about the status of IRAP and other key initiatives underway nationally.
Thursday’s session began with a tour of the Bath Iron Works Shipyard in Bath, ME and an explanation of their apprenticeship program. Graduates of the Bath Iron Works apprenticeship program receive an AS degree as well as their journeyworker papers upon program completion. The Round table discussions continued Thursday afternoon with more significant development reports and related questions previously submitted by member companies and guests. Thursday’s activities concluded with a members-only business meeting.