RESTON, VIRGINIA: Today, Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA) CEO Betsy Natz introduced a new workforce development tool for members of the Association – The KCMA Apprenticeship Program.
“It’s hard to find workers who have a great attitude, are willing to learn, and have some technical knowhow,” said Natz. “Getting them to stay for a career in cabinetmaking is even harder.” The KCMA Apprenticeship Program is designed to change that by giving KCMA members control over the most important part of their business—the people who run the equipment, maintain the machines, and ensure a quality product for customers.
KCMA is fortunate to partner with Jobs for the Future (JFF), a national nonprofit organization with a history in workforce solutions, to develop the national guidelines, laying out model standards for on-the-job training. JFF will work directly with members pursuing a registered apprenticeship to guide them through the registration process and connect with state and federal resources.
Today, KCMA is releasing draft standards for Cabinet Finishers, with additional standards in development for release at a future date. The standards will help KCMA members design and implement their own apprenticeship programs efficiently.
“Workforce development is a significant concern for our members. We are confident that the Apprenticeship Program will give members an important tool in overcoming this challenge,” concluded Natz.
More information about the KCMA Apprenticeship Program is available online at www.kcma.org/apprenticeships. The draft Cabinet Finisher standards are available online here
For more information, contact Lisa Samuels, Director, Marketing & Communications lsamuels@kcma.org or 703.674.0358
