The Industry Consortium for Advanced Technical Training (ICATT) Apprenticeship Program has received a $1.1 million investment to expand its reach over the next two years. ICATT is the leading apprenticeship program in the Midwest for manufacturers and high-tech companies, partnering with organizations in Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Nebraska, and Wisconsin.
This investment, from JPMorgan Chase & Co., will accelerate the program’s growth in new markets including Florida, Texas, and Michigan. ICATT will use the funding to focus on recruiting new employers into the program and retaining them as long-term partners. ICATT’s goal is to establish a stable and ongoing program in new geographic areas, providing a steady stream of apprenticeship positions to young people and creating a new pipeline of highly skilled, in-demand talent.
“The ICATT Apprenticeship Program is well-aligned with the goals and values of JPMorgan Chase & Co.,” said Mario Kratsch, Head of the ICATT Apprenticeship Program & Vice President of GACC Midwest. “Our apprenticeship model is sustainable and designed to benefit both employers and apprentices over time. The modest fees that employers pay will sustain program management, so the program will continue to thrive and grow long after the investment’s duration.”
The investment will enable the ICATT Apprenticeship Program to increase its scope by adding new professions and professional exams, as well as offering advice and guidance to other apprenticeship programs supported by JPMorgan Chase & Co.
“We know that apprenticeship programs like ICATT have the power to change lives by helping individuals combine working and learning to prepare for high-skill jobs of the future. This investment will enable workers and companies in Florida, Texas, Michigan and elsewhere to benefit from the best-in-class training and education model pioneered by the ICATT program in the Midwest,” said Sarah Steinberg, Vice President of Global Philanthropy at JPMorgan Chase & Co.
The ICATT Apprenticeship Program was established by the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest. GACC Midwest supports German and American companies in transatlantic business. To learn more about the ICATT Apprenticeship Program, visit www.icattapprenticeships.com.