Q&A with Carol Howerton of Marshall University’s Advanced Manufacturing Center

The Industrial Fasteners Institute is proud to announce the launch of its new Fastener Technician Apprenticeship Program, a critical step in building the next generation of the fastener manufacturing workforce. To provide a deeper look into this initiative, we sat down with Carol Howerton, Director of Workforce Development Programs at Marshall University’s Advanced Manufacturing Center, a key partner in this program’s success.

Q: In your opinion, what do you see as some of the biggest challenges facing the manufacturing workforce today?

A: The biggest challenge is the pipeline of talent. There’s a generation gap where high school students and counselors still believe manufacturing is dirty, hard work with low pay. They don’t realize that so many things have been modernized, and that these manufacturing facilities are clean and bright, and that the corporate culture is family-oriented and focuses on the safety and the well-being of employees. The potential for earning a high income is huge—people can start at a good wage and have the potential to make a six-figure salary. We need to do a better job of educating the next generation about what a career in modern manufacturing really looks like, because once they get into it, they love it.

Q: What makes the IFI Fastener Technician Apprenticeship Program unique?

A: The biggest thing that sets this program apart is that it was developed by fastener experts—your IFI members. They’ve poured their expertise into every part of the curriculum. Because of that buy-in, the program will have minimal changes needed for customization, and it truly reflects the competencies that the industry needs. This is the first time a broad industry has come together to develop a national training program, and I think that’s what will make it so successful.

Q: Can you tell us a little more about the Advanced Manufacturing Center and its role in workforce development?

A: The Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center started almost 36 years ago as a DARPA-funded institution with the purpose of helping manufacturers train up and become more proficient. We’ve since expanded our mission to serve manufacturers of all kinds. We have four departments: technical services, which helps companies with everything from prototyping to reverse engineering; a quality department that helps with ISO standards and process improvements; an innovations team that works with middle and high school students to spark interest in STEM; and my department, which focuses on workforce development through academic programs, customized training, and apprenticeships. We’re proud to assist roughly 300 manufacturers each year, helping everyone from small startups to multinational corporations.

Q: Why is your partnership with organizations like IFI so important?

A: We consider ourselves one of the industry’s best-kept secrets. It’s very difficult for us to get the word out regarding all the things we make available to manufacturers. By partnering with organizations like IFI, we can reach a much broader audience and help more people than we could on our own. It also pulls in the expertise of IFI’s members. We don’t do things in a vacuum; having IFI’s members and their vast expertise helps us develop programs that serve the entire industry, not just one manufacturer in a local area.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about your personal background and how you became involved in advanced manufacturing and workforce development?

A: My background is in curriculum design and technical programs. I started my career as a computer programmer, but I fell in love with teaching and working with companies to help them improve their employees’ skills. I started working with Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center when they developed their very first apprenticeship program around 2011. This experience showed me how academia and workforce training can work together to create successful apprenticeship programs, and it set me on a path that eventually led to me joining them directly.

Q: What are the key skills a participant will gain, and what are the benefits of a national program?

A: Participants are going to learn how to do their job well. It’s as simple as that. They’ll also earn a national   that is transferable, so their competencies will be recognized across the country. If an apprentice completes their training and moves to another company, the new employer will have a clear understanding of their skills. It’s a huge benefit to have that national consistency.

Q: What are the next steps for a fastener manufacturer interested in getting started with the program?

A: We’ve made the process simple. An interested company can contact us via an interest form or an email, and we’ll set up a quick call to discuss their company and the process. So far, nobody has wanted to change what’s been developed, so we can typically et a company on its way to an apprenticeship within a week or two. We are ready to work with you no matter the size of your company—whether you want to onboard one apprentice or 20, you’ll get the same level of support.

IFI is incredibly grateful for Carol Howerton and the Marshall University team for their invaluable partnership in launching this program. To learn more about how the IFI Apprenticeship Program can benefit your company, visit www.mfg.marshall.edu/industry/apprenticeships or contact Carol Howerton at 304-781-1680 or carol.howerton@mfg.marshall.edu.