As U.S. manufacturing works to overcome a technical skills gap, apprenticeship is gaining favor as a post-secondary educational path. Registered apprenticeship is a structured program that requires on the job training of an employee, accompanied by related instruction, and a progressive wage scale as the apprentice progresses through the program. This presentation describes how the Occupation Title for a Precision Optics Manufacturing Technician was defined for the industry, and approved by the US Department of Labor (USDOL). The occupation was later deemed apprenticeable by the DOL, and the apprenticeship was designed and registered with NY State. The program entails a three year (6,000 hour) rotation through every department of an optics manufacturing firm, with defined outcomes regarding hours of experience and competencies gained. In this program, structured, hands on technical training is combined with theoretical class room learning to develop highly skilled manufacturing technicians. This presentation will explain many of the details surrounding registered apprenticeship, including adjustments and results encountered during the first three years of the Optimax program...
