Letter to the Hon. Thomas Perez, Secretary, U.S. Department of Labor - Support for Grant Proposal for Next Generation Industrial Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship Program

Letter

Dear Secretary Perez,

We are writing to express our full support for the American Apprenticeship proposal submitted by Jobs for the Future, directed to the U.S. Department of Labor. The program will help to implement the "Next Generation Industrial Manufacturing Technician (IMT) Apprenticeship" for production workers.

This grant proposal is in partnership with a number of labor-management intermediaries and the AFL-CIO Working for America Institute. The IMT Apprenticeship program is a new model of registered apprenticeship for production workers. It builds on the successful pilot programs already running in Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota by the AFL-CIO Working for America Institute in partnership with Jobs for the Future.

Skill development in advanced manufacturing is critical to our nation's competitiveness and the development of career pathways for our manufacturing workforce. We are excited about the prospects of expanding and enhancing the IMT program in Minnesota through this new grant. If awarded, 200 or more individuals in the state of Minnesota will be enrolled in the IMT apprenticeship program, learning vital skills to stay competitive in today's changing workplace.

We are eager to see this innovative apprenticeship program expanded in Minnesota and ask you to give it full and fair consideration. The Next Generation Industrial Manufacturing Technician (IMT) Apprenticeship program will help to make American manufacturers and workers in our state and in the country more competitive in the global economy.

Thank you for your consideration.