One of our goals with Gulf Coast MakerCon is to build a premier community maker event for youth and adults highlighting the practical and useful as well as the fun. This year, we’ve got some great groups helping us do just that, and showing how native interests in making translate into manufacturing, engineering and entrepreneurship development skills. It’s fun to make, but it’s even better when you can support yourself through your own skills and expertise. The American Manufacturing Skills Initiative based in Pasco County, is one of those organizations.
The American Manufacturing Skills Initiative, known as AMskills, is an industry-led 
economic and workforce development initiative dedicated to “Training America’s Future Manufacturing Technicians, Engineers and CEO’s” AMskills delivers a high-tech, world class, four-year apprenticeship program to Tampa Bay students seeking advanced manufacturing careers.
An industry-led $2.35 million State and County-funded initiative, AMskills brings together American and German companies and training partners with the goal of building a strong manufacturing future for our nation. Education and training centers are located in Hernando, Pasco and Pinellas counties, with training programs provided in conjunction with regional and international manufacturing partners.
For those who like building things with their hands, crafting from metal, tinkering with 
robotics or have an interest in engineering, the AMskills Apprenticeship Program , open to students ages 16 years and up, provides hands-on training and real-world work experience in related fields.
AMskills apprentices gain:
- Two year degree with local state college (paid for by sponsoring company)
- Full 4-year German IHK International Certificate
- Certifications (MSSC, NIMS, PMMI)
- Guaranteed employment upon graduation with sponsoring company
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Stop by the AMskills both and learn more about this great program and how you can get involved, at Gulf Coast MakerCon on April 18th!
