FITCI to participate in state apprenticeship program
The Frederick Innovative Technology Center Inc. is launching a new initiative to help local businesses implement artificial intelligence and automation. The Maryland Department of Labor awarded the organization $250,000 to develop this apprenticeship program. The effort aims to bridge the gap for companies that lack internal experts to guide these technical upgrades.
Kathie Callahan Brady, president and CEO of FITCI, stated that the program will support roughly 30 apprentices across 20 participating companies. These businesses represent diverse sectors including manufacturing, cybersecurity, life sciences, and energy. Each company will assign a mentor to work with the apprentice throughout the process to ensure the training matches specific operational needs.
The curriculum covers the creation of the apprenticeship model, the training structure, and the actual implementation of automation solutions. Apprentices will focus on identifying practical use cases such as repetitive documentation, intake processes, internal reporting, or onboarding workflows. By testing and refining these tools in a real business setting, participants learn how to fix manual inefficiencies directly.
This $250,000 grant is part of a larger $4 million funding package allocated through the state’s Industry Apprenticeship Accelerator program. The state recognizes registered apprenticeships as a primary driver for workforce development. FITCI is one of nine organizations across Maryland selected to facilitate these programs, marking a significant step toward integrating practical technical skills into the regional economy.