BETHESDA, Md., Nov. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Lockheed Martin today announced that the U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) has approved its proposed National Standards of Apprenticeship, establishing a common framework for the company to develop and expand registered apprenticeship programs across its U.S. facilities. These programs will include on-the-job training and classroom instruction for highly-skilled roles.

Establishing national standards in partnership with the Department of Labor enhances Lockheed Martin’s ability to work with local apprenticeship offices, educational institutions, workforce agencies and the advanced manufacturing community to build capacity and provide greater workforce development opportunities to fill the skills gap.

“Addressing the growing skills gap is critical to our nation’s future as an innovator and a job creator,” said Lockheed Martin Chairman, President and CEO Marillyn Hewson. “At Lockheed Martin, we recognize this challenge requires government, industry and educators to work together to develop a workforce with the skills to compete in the 21st century. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the Department of Labor to expand our apprenticeship programs and open up new opportunities for American workers.”

Lockheed Martin’s National Standards were modeled after the company’s successful Advanced Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship Program (AMTAP) – a nine-week training program that allows participants to develop manufacturing skills in electronic, mechanical, electromechanical and optical areas. The program was created in partnership with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment and is a registered U.S. DoL apprenticeship program with Lockheed Martin’s Space business area.

These standards follow Lockheed Martin’s recently stated pledge in July 2018 to provide 8,000 new apprenticeship opportunities over the next five years – this includes high-school internships, development or “upskilling” programs for career professionals, and technical apprenticeships that offer credentials along with the opportunity for employment upon completion – essentially, opportunities at every stage of an employee’s career.

Under the newly established standards, the company looks to evaluate and possibly transition more than 30 technical training programs to the DoL National Standard, enabling workers to participate in time-based, competency-based, and/or hybrid apprenticeship programs for various occupations in advanced manufacturing.

For additional information about workforce opportunities at Lockheed Martin, visit our website here.

About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 100,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. This year the company received three Edison Awards for ground-breaking innovations in autonomy, satellite technology and directed energy.

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SOURCE Lockheed Martin