In the Oct. 13th newsletter, we talked about Aero-Flex Pre-Apprenticeship in Engineering, an innovative workforce development approach designed by the South Bay Workforce Investment Board (SBWIB) to meet the workforce needs of manufacturing firms and their greatest challenge of finding and attracting a qualified workforce.

Initially funded through AMP SoCAL and California’s Workforce Accelerator Fund, the program has expanded from the South Bay area to all of Los Angeles County. The project is looking to engage multiple size companies in a discussion of your current and anticipated workforce needs as they relate to engineering. In addition, multiple no cost resources may be available to assist with your training and development challenges, whether in the engineering arena or in other positions.

BENEFITS: Aero-Flex is an employer-driven pre-apprenticeship framework in engineering that meets the workforce development needs common to the aerospace and advanced manufacturing industry. Partnering employers are able to flex the curriculum to their needs, build their workforce pipeline, enhance existing internship programs, receive funding to support training and recruitment and have access to a pool of talented job seekers ready to work. The program timeframe, based on your business needs, ranges from 6-12 weeks and consists of work readiness training, industry specific occupational skills training and on-the-job work-based learning provided by Aero-Flex member employers.

The SBWIB is expecting to enroll over 100 Aero-Flex Pre-Apprentices and to support companies adopting the program with available funding. Pre-Apprentice candidates may include high school and post- secondary students, veterans, under-served or under-employed populations, and your incumbent workers. The SBWIB also is developing a new Registered Apprenticeship in aerospace engineering. This will allow a seamless link for Aero-Flex Pre-Apprentices to enter into an apprenticeship program; moving into roles with a higher level of skill development.

For more information and to learn more about how the Aero-Flex Pre-Apprenticeship program may fit within your organization, please contact Deborah Shepard at [email protected] or call 310-680- 3705.