How Our Manufacturing Apprenticeship Program Prepares Students for What’s Next
It’s no secret that the manufacturing industry is facing a talent shortage. At Athena Manufacturing, we recognized the need for a more proactive solution to this problem, not just to expand our team, but to contribute to building a stronger, more sustainable workforce across Central Texas. That’s what led to the launch of our new manufacturing apprenticeship program, which was recently approved by the U.S. Department of Labor.
The program introduces high school students to hands-on careers in precision CNC machining and sheet metal fabrication services, and offers a clear path into a high-tech industry that looks very different from the outdated image many people still have of manufacturing.
Rethinking What a Manufacturing Career Looks Like
When many students picture a career in manufacturing, they think of loud, gritty environments and repetitive work. What they often don’t expect is a clean, high-tech space where skilled operators use advanced robotics and automated equipment to produce complex parts for industries like aerospace, electronics, and electric vehicles.
Perhaps one of the biggest benefits of our apprenticeship program is that it gives students the chance to see modern manufacturing in action. They tour the shop, talk with team members, and start to understand how much technology is involved in everything we do.
It also helps shift the conversation at home. When parents visit the facility and see the tools and environment firsthand, they begin to see this career path in a new light. In this program, their children aren’t just learning to make parts. They’re learning how to work with real tools, solve real problems, and take meaningful steps toward a career with long-term potential.
Helping Students Explore Career Options
A lot of high school students aren’t sure what comes next. College might be in the picture, or it might not. Either way, our manufacturing apprenticeship program gives them the chance to explore a skilled trade that fits their strengths and ambition, without locking them into a single track.
A four-year degree can cost $100,000 or more, with no guaranteed return. Our apprentices earn while they learn, gaining real skills, avoiding student debt, and setting themselves up for long-term success.
This early-outreach model is especially important in rural Central Texas, where students may not have easy access to programs like this. By starting early, we give them time to discover whether precision machining & manufacturing is the right fit, and help them start building a future before they graduate high school.
A Training Model Built for Real-World Success
Getting approval from the Department of Labor wasn’t just a matter of filling out forms. It took months of work to build something meaningful, which included everything from defining competencies to aligning the curriculum with national standards. As part of this process, we partnered with the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS), developed a custom training track through Smart Training Solutions (STS), and incorporated digital work instructions through GembaDocs to support hands-on learning on the shop floor.
In order to succeed in this program, students need to build and demonstrate real skills. Progress is based on performance, not time spent, which means every apprentice is evaluated on what they can do, not just what they’ve been taught.
Our first cohort includes three apprentices who are currently going through the hands-on training portion of the program. Alongside them, several internal team members are completing evaluator training to help guide and assess future apprentices.
As part of their hands-on experience, students receive cross-training in both milling and turning operations. That broader exposure gives them more flexibility and prepares them to take on a variety of roles as they move forward in their careers.
Continuing Our Legacy of Workforce Development
This program isn’t Athena’s first apprenticeship initiative. Members of our leadership team have been building and running DOL-approved programs for over three decades, and we've seen firsthand how far these opportunities can take someone. Kyle Naylor came through welding school and now runs our fab shop. Another participant worked on our floor while attending college and went on to build his own successful career.
And now, with growing support from both the private sector and federal leadership, including renewed emphasis on apprenticeship programs nationwide, there’s never been a better time to invest in the next generation.
Learn More About Our Apprenticeship Program
More than just job training, our manufacturing apprenticeship program is a launchpad to future opportunities. Whether students stay with us, take their skills to another Texas contract manufacturing company, or follow a different path entirely, they leave with real experience and real options.
We offer facility tours, classroom visits, and info sessions for students, parents, and schools throughout the region. If you’re curious about the program or just want to explore what a career in modern manufacturing really looks like, we’d love to connect.