To help address the U.S. demand for skilled workers, BASF on Tuesday said it is further expanding its North American Apprenticeship Development Program and welcoming nearly 100 apprentices at 20 manufacturing sites across the country.
BASF said its program offers a unique opportunity to gain on-the-job training and earn industry-recognized credentials while receiving a full-time wage. Its 2022 roster of new apprentice hires include an average 44% female selection rate, further supporting the company’s goal of increasing the number of women in manufacturing.
“Globally, BASF has a history of offering apprenticeship opportunities for more than 100 years,” Michael Heinz, chairman and CEO of BASF Corp., said. “In the U.S., we are committed to building on this success and expanding this entry option into industry while further strengthening our diverse and skilled workforce. I am convinced of the great value vocational training provides as an important first step to a successful career at BASF.”
BASF launched apprenticeship programs at multiple sites across the country so far in 2022, including White Stone, South Carolina; Whitehouse, Ohio; and Huntsville, Alabama. The company is currently collaborating with 19 local colleges to ensure comprehensive and integrated training in addition to the practical experience participants gain at the company’s operating facilities.
Over the course of 12 to 36 months, the apprentices will be trained on the job while earning an industry-recognized certificate or associate degree. In addition to paying a competitive wage, BASF offers benefits and covers costs associated with the academic programs. Upon completion of the apprenticeship program, participants will have the skills and credentials needed to launch their careers in manufacturing.
While offering entry into the manufacturing industry, BASF’s apprenticeship program also helps create a vital pipeline of trained workers. The National Association of Manufacturers projects a labor shortage of 2.1 million unfilled manufacturing jobs by 2030, which has been further challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic. BASF, along with other companies in the industry, focuses on developing a skilled and diverse talent pipeline, which is crucial in meeting its staffing requirements and driving continued business and manufacturing success.
