Anthony Nighswander, founder and president of APT Manufacturing, shares insight on how he’s formed his business to help transform workforce preparation through innovative, educational programs.
APT Manufacturing, established in 1996, is a family-owned business dedicated to advanced manufacturing. As the company grew, Tony identified a staffing challenge due to a disconnect between the skills taught in schools and the needs of industry. To tackle this issue, APT initiated an apprenticeship program that has successfully integrated educational training with hands-on industry experience. Students learn basic skills in high school, then spend four weeks at APT to take those skills to the next level for expedited value contribution!
Following the creation of the apprenticeship program, Paul Aiello, Executive Director of FANUC America Corporation, sought out a partner with a passion for education. Tony was up for the challenge and the APT AM Cert was born, but not without some unexpected obstacles.
Initially, Tony was surprised by the administrative processes in education, such as grant timelines affecting purchasing decisions. APT also came upon the task of creating classroom-ready educational curriculum in place of machine manuals, highlighting the crucial need to hire in-house curriculum developers. But, that wasn’t the end of their discovery into the world of education. Tony went on to share,
“That was a little bit of a challenge, because we didn’t understand the educational side of it.”
Fortunately, there was a well-established solution in place already.
Building close relationships with ESP’s (Education Solution Providers) and FANUC to explain those details was an important stepping stone in the production process to create curriculum fruitful for both organizations.
On the topic of partnership, Tony stresses the importance of education to proactively collaborate with industry, suggesting needs haven’t been met in the past. He proposes that educators use time during their summer break to tour APT and FANUC to better understand industrial needs first-hand. These experiences can be helpful to educators when advocating for their program
“I love to see education get excited about automation and step up their teaching to the next level. To see cobots come alive – where students can learn to manipulate them by moving them and feeling them and understanding them… I think that’s really important in today’s world.”
– Anthony Nighswander
Tony’s biggest win is seeing students come out of college with the knowledge and proper training to operate APT and FANUC equipment.
He recalls a time when an interviewee demonstrated their skills on the FANUC Teach Pendant in their first interview, right off-the-bat!
By creating a reciprocal relationship between education and industry, students will experience enhanced educational training to better prepare them for successful careers in manufacturing.
Education and Industry Must Work Together!
Tony’s commitment to bridging the gap between education and industry has led to significant advancements in workforce readiness. His innovative approach serves as a model for other manufacturers looking to cultivate talent and ensure a steady pipeline of skilled workers. As Tony reflects on the future, he is excited about further collaborations and the potential for educational institutions to evolve in response to industry demands.
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