Lehigh Valley manufacturers, educators team up for workforce training

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The future of the Lehigh Valley’s manufacturing industry depends on access to a well-trained workforce. 

To help make that happen, a group of local manufacturing leaders and educators have partnered to form the Industrial Training and Education Consortium of the Lehigh Valley (iTEC.) 

Representatives from B. Braun, OraSure Technologies and the Manufacturers Resource Center introduced the formation of the apprenticeship program at the Lehigh Valley Manufacturing Forum Tuesday at the new event center at Wind Creek Bethlehem. 

The idea of the consortium is for manufacturers to work together on building apprenticeship programs that will give potential workers the proper skills needed to build a career within those companies. 

“iTEC was envisioned as a way for local manufacturers and their training partners to simplify alternate career pathways and create a pipeline of skilled, diverse talent for the future workforce,” said Morten Rasmussen, corporate vice president of operations and human resources at B. Braun Medical, and chair of the iTEC Management Council. 

Gwen Ross, director of workforce development initiatives at the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development said the first-of-its kind program is in line with the Shapiro Administrations goal of providing alternative, debt-free solutions to career education beyond the traditional four-year college degree. 

“It’s exactly the type of public private partnership that we need in Pennsylvani to fill the growing needs of the manufacturing sector,” Ross said. 

Ayesha Herrera, director of human resources at OraSure, said she sees many benefits to having companies work together on apprenticeship programming. 

“We see this as an opportunity to have access to local talent and students will have a broader view of what’s available to them,” Herrera said. 

As a nonprofit corporation, iTEC will partner with industry, education, government and community organizations across the Lehigh Valley to promote careers in advanced manufacturing.  

The Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC) has been providing administrative support. Apprenticeship certifications, educational outreach and training for company mentors are managed by the German American Chamber of Commerce. 

“This is a very powerful tool for us, and it provides debt-free education,” said Don Cunningham, president and CEO of the LVEDC. 

Funding for iTEC is provided by member companies and a $183,000 grant awarded to Workforce Board Lehigh Valley in late 2022 by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry.  

iTEC is currently offering state-registered apprenticeship programs in Mechatronics and Industrial Manufacturing Technician career paths.  

Current training providers include Lehigh Carbon Community College and Northampton Community College. Additional programs and training providers are being planned.