Our services include consulting, organization and quality assurance for apprenticeship programs according to German standards. Program Development & Management Train the Trainer Courses & AdA-International Certification DIHK certification of new and existing programs Advice regarding new in-house programs Recruiting of qualified students and applicants Preparation and execution of IHK examinations

As Pittsburgh Chapter of the German American Chamber of Commerce we are directly connected to the German IHK (Chamber of Industry and Commerce) and therefore have access to a pool of 360 state-of-the-art Apprenticeship modules that have been established in Germany for decades. With adapting the Dual Apprenticeship program we include the skills and competencies required from the German IHK for the job profiles and modified them into 2.5 year programs to make them a better fit for the companies in the American market.

Since our Apprenticeship program is highly company-oriented, it is our goal to fully understand your business and the required skill set for your workforce. With that in mind we can adjust the program’s curriculum to guarantee a workforce tailored to your company needs with apprentices that will have a leg up on their competition, since they receive hands-on experience while simultaneously learning theory.

For Mechatronics: Apprentices will attend community college courses that are integrated with the On the Job training. The core courses include a 30-35 credit Mechatronics certification, with courses in Electricity, Mechanics, Motor Controls, Pneumatics, Hydraulics, Robotics, Programming Logic Controls (PLCs), Power Distribution. The Associate’s Degree will continue with advanced courses in these areas with the ability to specialize for a variety of industries and careers. Depending on the community college, the Certification and Associates Degree program can be found under Mechatronics, Robotics Technician, or Applied Technology. For Polymers: Apprentices will attend community college courses that are integrated with the On the Job training. The core courses include a 30-35 credit certification in Mechatronics with a second certification in Polymers, which focuses on basic polymer chemistry, safety, troubleshooting and quality control methods. The Associate’s Degree will continue with advanced courses in these areas with the ability to specialize for a variety of industries and careers. For CAD/CAM Technical Designer: Apprentices will attend community college courses that are integrated with the On the Job training. The coursework will be an Associate’s Degree in Computer Aided Drafting and Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing and (or also knowns as Computer Aided Design Technology). Courses include Technical Drafting, Introduction to Design, Materials, and Processes, Math for Technologies, Computer Numerical Control, 3D Solid Modeling, Materials, Machining, Technical Communication. For Sales Engineering: Apprentices will attend community college courses that are integrated with the On the Job training. The coursework will be an Associate’s Degree in Business, with a Sales Engineering Certification. Apprentices will take core business courses as well as 20-25 credits of technical electives, specifically designed for the industry and technology of employment.

All of our Apprenticeship Programs are registered by the State of Pennsylvania’s Department of Labor and Industry and have been approved by the Pennsylvania Apprenticeship and Training Council and the Federal Committee on Apprenticeship. Because of that, the GACC Pittsburgh Chapter, is eligible to issue journeyworker paper upon completion of the Apprenticeship program.

With our broad network and contacts to the PA State Department of Labor and Industry and other county workforce development boards we are always looking for additional funding to minimize the investment on the company side. Those grants can help pay the apprentices tuition fees and their wages.