The GACC Apprenticeship Award honors Brose and WITTENSTEIN for their efforts and investments in workforce development and education as well as the creation of valuable career pathways for young Americans. The award also highlights the impact the apprenticeship model has made to the individual careers of the winning company’s apprentices.
“Brose and WITTENSTEIN were selected as the winners by an independent jury of specialists for their global approach to training and their deep commitment to apprenticeships” says Mario Kratsch, Vice President of GACC Midwest.
“It is a necessary investment in WITTENSTEIN’s future in the USA; we cannot grow the company without skilled employees. WITTENSTEIN is a high-tech company and needs highly educated and skilled employees” says Peter Riehle, President and CEO of WITTENSTEIN Holding Corp.
“The main reason why Brose developed and started apprenticeship programs is to create talent pipelines for skilled trade positions. While we search for applicants our processes and technologies get more and more complex especially in the technical departments, it is important to have highly qualified employees with the right qualifications, skills and mindset based on our company needs.” Simone Gruebert, Training and Apprentice Coordinator of Brose North America, Inc.
The GACC Apprenticeship Award 2018 was presented at RGIT (Representative of German Industry and Trade) on November 14, 2018 in Washington D.C. HE Dr. Emily Haber, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, delivered this year’s keynote speech prior to the award ceremony.
About National Apprenticeship Week
National Apprenticeship Week raises the profile and highlights the benefits of the dual training approach for companies and apprentices.
About Brose North America, Inc.
Brose is the world’s fifth-largest family-owned automotive supplier. The company develops and produces mechatronic systems for vehicle doors and seats as well as electric motors and drives. Brose has been a committed partner to the North American market since 1993. The mechatronic specialist now counts eleven locations across Canada, the United States and Mexico and employs approximately 5,000 people in the region. The entire range of Brose products is manufactured throughout the North American facilities, from window regulator and door modules to seat systems. http://www.brose.com
About WITTENSTEIN Holding Corp.
Since 1992 WITTENSTEIN in North America has supported the U.S., Canada and Mexico with solutions that embody the excellence and integrity that defines WITTENSTEIN. The North America headquarters in Bartlett, Illinois employs more than 125 people in executive, sales, engineering and technical support roles, as well machining, assembly, testing, service and inventory of products. The state-of-the-art machines and technical capabilities at this facility support WITTENSTEIN worldwide with mechatronic projects that integrate motors, gearboxes and controls. Dedicated to excellent customer support in product, delivery and service, WITTENSTEIN North America is certified to the latest ISO 9001-2015 standard. Our mechatronic products include servo gearheads, servo motors, servo regulators, sensors, software, servo actuators, servo drive systems, linear systems, custom motors for specialized applications and more. Learn more at www.wittenstein-us.com.
About the German American Chambers of Commerce
The German American Chambers of Commerce (GACCs) with their main offices in Atlanta, Chicago and New York, as well as branches in Detroit, Houston, Philadelphia, and San Francisco, work together under the network of the GACCs. With approximately 2,500 members, an extensive international network, and their broad spectrum of activities and services the GACCs are the first choice when it comes to business between the US and Germany. Additionally, our liaison office in Washington, DC, the Representative of German Industry and Trade (RGIT), represents the interests of the German business community vis-à-vis both the US administration and other international organizations based in Washington, DC. AHKs are closely connected to the Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHKs) in Germany. The umbrella organization of the IHKs is the German Association of Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK), which speaks for 3.6 million business enterprises in Germany and also coordinates and supports the AHKs. The German Chamber Network (AHK) provides experience, connections, and services worldwide through over 140 locations in 92 countries. www.gaccmidwest.org | www.ahk-usa.com
About Deutschlandjahr (Year of German-American Friendship)
From October 2018 until late 2019, Germany will celebrate its close friendship to the U.S. through the Year of German-American Friendship, or Deutschlandjahr. The theme of “Wunderbar Together” highlights the strong relationship between the two counties, which is rooted in deep historical ties and shared culture. “Wunderbar Together” means the U.S. and Germany are better as friends. Our partnership has made both countries stronger over time and will continue to shape our futures.
This initiative is an opportunity to renew and preserve the German-American friendship and to develop a new shared perspective on important issues. Together, the countries can tackle global challenges through a renewed focus on dialogue and cooperation. People are at the heart of the US-German relationship, and at the heart of the Deutschlandjahr. This celebration will bring together more than 200 partners across all 50 states, who will host more than 1,000 events in local communities.