ICATT Launches New International Logistics Specialists & Freight Forwarding Apprenticeship

CHICAGO - Feb. 14, 2019 - PRLog -- Industry Consortium for Advanced Technical Training (ICATT), the leading apprenticeship program in the Midwest for high-tech manufacturers and companies with complex technologies or logistics, expands their apprenticeship program with the addition of the International Logistics & Freight Forwarding apprenticeship.

As the ICATT Apprenticeship Program has tripled in size since launching in 2015. Currently, the program has helped train 70 apprentices at 58 companies. With three training programs already, which focus on high-tech manufacturing careers, the addition of the International Logistics & Freight Forwarding gives more companies and apprentices the opportunity to work with the ICATT Apprenticeship Program.

"Similar to how the high-tech manufacturing industry is struggling with a widening skills gap, logistics companies are also struggling to stay competitive because of the shortage of skilled talent," says Mario Kratsch, Head of the ICATT Apprenticeship Program. "Through our apprenticeship program, companies will have a sustainable workforce development solution that will provide a pipeline of talent over time. This is increasingly important in an interconnected world that depends on international logistics to provide imports and exports of goods."

The ICATT Apprenticeship Program is the only program in the Midwest fully benchmarked on the German Dual Education System, a time-tested program that combines company-specific knowledge, theory and hands-on learning to train a globally competitive workforce.

"As a leader in supply chain innovation, we have been searching for a long-term solution to recruiting and retaining new employees," says Stephen Olds, Founder, and CEO of Exegistics. "We were impressed by the ICATT Apprenticeship Program, not only because of their proven model, but also because the program is G.I. Bill certified. As a Veteran-Owned Small Business, it was important for our company to partner with a program who aligned with our core values."

The new program will partner with Oakton Community College to offer the theory portion of the program.

"We are elated to partner with the ICATT Apprenticeship Program and be able to offer our students the ability to earn while they learn," said Lisa Cherivtch Professor of Business. "Through the program, students will be able to apply the knowledge they acquire in the classroom to their jobs immediately."

The ICATT logistics apprenticeship is available for companies starting in the Fall of 2019.

To learn more about the ICATT Apprenticeship Program, click here (http://www.icattapprenticeships.com/).

About ICATT

The Industry Consortium for Advanced Technical Training (ICATT) helps high-tech manufacturers and companies with complex technologies and logistics find and retain a loyal workforce by helping them develop a sustainable pipeline of skilled talent through its globally recognized apprenticeship program. The ICATT Apprenticeship Program partners with companies and community colleges to develop custom company training plans using industry-defined competencies and is benchmarked on the globally recognized German Dual Education System. ICATT was established by the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest in partnership with the Illinois Manufacturers' Association, and is supported by grants from the U.S. Department of Labor (AP-27959-15-60-A-17) and JP Morgan Chase & Co. For more information, visit: www.icattapprenticeships.com.