Not long ago, in 2011, the manufacturing institute released its skills gap report which reinforced “the talent challenge that U.S. manufacturers face and warn(ed) of even greater skilled worker shortages in the near future." We have reached that ‘near future’ now and chose to take a proactive step towards closing this gap.

Schunk along with six partners: Allied Automation, Amcor Rigid Packaging, Buehler Aeroglide, Captiveaire, Madern USA, Superior Tooling, formed NCTAP, an apprenticeship program designed to develop experts needed in the modern workforce. An apprenticeship offers a unique start to a professional career.

“NCTAP provides more than just a degree. It opens up more career opportunities than people think of when they start the program” stated Lukas Schoenwetter, NCTAP’s coordinator partner companies, at the monthly meeting.

The four-year program, based in North Carolina's Triangle area, focuses on integrated basic training which develops technical, methodological, and social skills. The core training program gives apprentices an excellent opportunity to develop a wide range of skills with a hands-on approach.

NCTAP is affiliated with Apprenticeship 2000, a program in the Charlotte area with a proven track record, and with the NC Department of Commerce's Apprenticeship & Training Bureau.