# The Manufacturing Apprenticeship Opportunity w/ Jason Woodard

- Show: [The Manufacturing Executive](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive)
- Published: 2024-10-22
- Length: 33m
- Episode: 228
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-10-22-the-manufacturing-apprenticeship-opportunity-w-jason-woodard
- Listen: https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-manufacturing-executive#episode-7420b73d-4974-4b85-8880-20dbf617ae0a

## Summary

Jason Woodard, Plant Manager at Geislinger Corporation, explains how his company built a machinist apprenticeship program that now comprises 25% of their machinist staff. He details the process of partnering with the Department of Labor, Michigan Works, and Kellogg Community College to customize curricula and recruit talent from high school interns. Woodard shares his personal journey from a wire welder to an industrial maintenance apprentice, emphasizing the importance of holistic training and early engagement with local schools to combat labor shortages.

## Chapters

- [0:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-10-22-the-manufacturing-apprenticeship-opportunity-w-jason-woodard#t=35) Introduction and Jason Woodard's Background
- [5:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-10-22-the-manufacturing-apprenticeship-opportunity-w-jason-woodard#t=329) Jason's Personal Apprenticeship Journey
- [12:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-10-22-the-manufacturing-apprenticeship-opportunity-w-jason-woodard#t=750) Building the Geislinger Apprenticeship Program
- [12:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-10-22-the-manufacturing-apprenticeship-opportunity-w-jason-woodard#t=750) Recruiting High School Interns and Apprentices
- [26:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-10-22-the-manufacturing-apprenticeship-opportunity-w-jason-woodard#t=1576) Community Engagement and Manufacturing Day
- [25:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-10-22-the-manufacturing-apprenticeship-opportunity-w-jason-woodard#t=1503) Resources for Starting a Program and Closing

## Topics

- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- Geislinger Corporation (company)
- Kellogg Community College (other)
- Michigan Works (other)
- Goodwill (other)
- Battle Creek Unlimited (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [BONUS: What Manufacturers Can Learn from Central Wisconsin's Workforce Strategy (LIVE from Wausau, WI)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-06-05-bonus-what-manufacturers-can-learn-from-central-wisconsins-workforce-strategy-li) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [210: Technical Education, Apprenticeships, and Addressing the Needs of Industry Today and in the Future with Ashley Furniture and Western Technical College](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-11-05-210-technical-education-apprenticeships-and-addressing-the-needs-of-industry-tod) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Hire Diverse Talent or Risk Going Out of Business Featuring Equity Machine Works Founder Justin Sherman](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-12-07-hire-diverse-talent-or-risk-going-out-of-business-featuring-equity-machine-works) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [151: Building AI and Automation into Technical College Curriculums with Richard Barnhouse, President of WCTC (Waukesha County Technical College)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-08-29-151-building-ai-and-automation-into-technical-college-curriculums-with-richard-b) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [The Critical Shift: Bridging the Generational Gap in PCB Design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2024-03-26-the-critical-shift-bridging-the-generational-gap-in-pcb-design) (OnTrack)

## Citing this page

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