Children’s Factory Employees Complete Leadership Apprenticeship Program
There were 16 employees of The Children’s Factory who recently completed a U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) apprenticeship program coordinated by East Central College’s Center for Workforce Development (CWD).
The Leadership Apprenticeship program was geared toward future leaders, team leads, supervisors and executive leaders within The Children’s Factory, located in Union.
The training was funded through the Missouri Apprenticeships in Manufacturing Program (MoAMP), a statewide initiative to improve the ability to deliver innovative pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship training programs. The apprenticeships are registered and validated by the DOL.
According to Melissa Richards, CWD apprenticeship and business training program coordinator, the apprenticeship program was conducted at the manufacture’s site and ECC. It was led and facilitated by The Quality Coach (TQC), a leadership coaching and consulting firm.
The Children’s Factory — which manufactures and distributes learning spaces and unique play equipment — worked with the college’s CWD to navigate the funding process and coordinate with the apprenticeship program with TQC.
This program was designed to deliver practical on-the-job skills for employees moving into a leadership role or those who are currently in a leadership position.
“TQC and ECC are at the forefront in strategic apprenticeship training,” Richards said. “We have been experiencing a shift from all technical apprenticeships, toward a combination of leadership apprenticeships, with technical training.”
She added that employee retention and succession planning are in the forefront for manufacturing employers.
“Investing in a competency-based Registered Apprenticeship program will continue to strengthen the talent and culture for these partners,” Richards commented.
TQC’s apprenticeship program was customized to meet company objectives, but also included core and foundational leadership components, critical for effective leadership in today’s environment.
The program included one-on-one coaching and blended learning with tools and resources, including “how to best respond to challenges in today’s workplace.”
A consortium of nine schools, established by the Missouri Community College Association (MCCA), participate in MoAMP, which utilizes DOL funding to strengthen workforces and build workers’ competencies.
To learn more about MoAMP apprenticeships and registered apprenticeships through ECC’s CWD, visit www.eastcentral.edu/cwd/registered-apprenticeships/ or call 636-649-5800.