Atlanta, Auburn Hills, MI, Chicago, Detroit, New York, Washington, DC – November 10, 2022 – The GACC Apprenticeship Award 2022 honors Michigan Advanced Technician Training Program (MAT2) Network Company Brose North America for its comprehensive and supportive approach to training apprentices and dedication to investing in German-style apprenticeships in the US. Brose North America will celebrate its 10th anniversary with the MAT2 Program in 2023, and is strongly committed to the success of each of their apprentices, offering additional opportunities for growth and development including tuition reimbursement and monthly training. In addition, Brose is currently expanding its apprentice training center to better accommodate their growing cohorts. This is the third win for Brose, who won the GACC Apprenticeship Award in 2017 and alongside WITTENSTEIN North America in 2018.
Brose and 12 other Michigan-based organizations collaborated to create the original curriculum and process for the MAT2 Program, and Brose welcomed its first cohort in 2013. 26 apprentices have graduated from Brose’s MAT2 program so far, and the company currently has 13 apprentices enrolled.
The jurors were impressed by Brose’s exceptional structure in their apprenticeship program along with the superior engagement of the training manager/team at the manufacturing facility and their external educational partners. The jurors also appreciated the well thought out and planned career path that is available to the future workforce-based on the apprentices’ strengths once finished with the schooling, training, and certified by the DIHK.
Brose North America recognizes Briana Warnke for paving her own career path among her peers in a male-dominated profession and being a role model for Brose’s apprentices and team. With a Union electrician for a father and excelling in machine shop classes throughout high school, she was predestined to choose a technical field at a young age. Upon graduating from the Michigan-based MAT2 apprenticeship program, she was hired by Brose North America as a maintenance technician and was promoted to hybrid maintenance technician a mere three months later. Showing the same tenacity that made her a successful apprentice, Briana is now pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer sciences while working at Brose.
“Brose North America exemplifies how manufacturing companies can successfully build their workforce and close the skills gap through German-style apprenticeship programs. Brose pushes each of their apprentices to succeed and innovate while promoting STEM careers in their local community. Additionally, Brose representatives are actively involved in the quality control of the MAT2 program through their participation in various examination board. We look forward to continued cooperation with Brose to champion the value of apprenticeships across the US,” says Sascha Kuhn, Deputy Director, Apprenticeship Networks at the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest.
Brose is the fourth-largest family-owned automotive supplier and has been a committed partner to the North American market since 1993. Every other new car worldwide is equipped with at least one Brose product. The company’s intelligent solutions for vehicle access and interiors provide greater comfort and flexibility. Innovative concepts for thermal management increase efficiency and contribute to environmental and climate protection.
Brose’s systems understanding enables new functions in all kinds of vehicles – whether on four or two wheels. The mechatronics specialist counts twelve locations across Canada, the United States and Mexico and employs approximately 6,000 people in the region. The entire range of Brose products is manufactured throughout the North American facilities, from door modules and seat systems to drives and electronics.
“Brose North America has been active in apprenticeship programs for over ten years. We are committed to Michigan’s MAT2 program and the other apprenticeship programs we have started in North America! Programs that we believe create a win-win situation for our company and our talent,” says Arnd Herwig, Vice President of Engineering and executive sponsor of the program at Brose North America, Inc. “Our trainers and mentors have spent countless hours making sure our apprentices receive the best training possible and feel supported as they learn the trade. We are proud and honored that these efforts are being recognized by the German American Chambers of Commerce.”
Brose North America was recognized at a ceremony on November 10 in Atlanta, GA.