Lockheed Martin receives DOL certification for apprenticeship guidelines

Lockheed Martin recently received certification from the United States Department of Labor (DOL) for its new industry talent pipeline guidelines that are used for apprenticeship programs to help grow the company’s talent pool. Developing skilled talent is critical to Lockheed Martin, and apprenticeship programs have proven to be especially effective. The guidelines will ensure a high level of skill, competency and consistency among Lockheed Martin’s apprenticeship programs. These guidelines, approved by DOL Secretary Hilda Solis, have been made available to all 50 states as a best practice.

“The guidelines serve as a model when developing local apprenticeship programs that are registered with the department’s Office of Apprenticeship or a State Apprenticeship Agency,” said Shan Cooper, Lockheed Martin human resources vice president. The guidelines are listed in the National Guidelines for Apprenticeship Standards.

Lockheed Martin sponsors two apprenticeship programs – the Information Technology Apprenticeship Program for high school students and the Seamless Transition Apprenticeship Program for Chapter 31 certified veterans.

“The Department of Labor’s approval of our guidelines reaffirms the commitment that we have to education and the development of new talent pipelines. Apprenticeship programs are a good opportunity for students to develop their IT prowess. Promoting skill development in science and technology is also an imperative for our organization,” said Cooper.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs approximately 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2009 sales of $45.2 billion.