From Curiosity to Mastery: How Lehigh Valley Apprenticeships Are Shaping Manufacturing's Future Workforce
Thomas Arahill is a dabbler. He paints, draws, plays the piano, and writes. He’s the type of curious, life-long learner that companies are eager to hire, a perfect fit for a Laboratory Tester Apprenticeship at Evonik.
Evonik is a global specialty chemicals manufacturer with a location in the Lehigh Valley whose products have a wide range of applications, from light-weight aerospace construction, industrial paints and coatings, to semiconductor manufacturing and beyond.
Evonik is also a member of the Industrial Training and Education Consortium (iTEC), a partnership of industry, education, government, and community organizations that creates and promotes apprenticeships in advanced manufacturing.
After high school, Arahill worked in a variety of fields, but none felt stable enough or sparked his love of learning. He wanted a challenge, so he enrolled in the Automated Industrial Technology program at Lehigh Career and Technical Institute (LCTI), believing that manufacturing was a growing industry with opportunities for advancement.
He was correct.
Manufacturing is a growing industry and leading driver of the Lehigh Valley’s $57.3 billion economy, with job growth of 28.8% since 2010, three times the national rate. Manufacturing wages are 28% higher than the regional average, making it increasingly attractive for workers.
Shortly after completing his studies at LCTI, Arahill met Evonik representatives at a job fair hosted by Lehigh Carbon Community College and applied for the apprenticeship position. He now works in Evonik’s North American Innovation Hub in Upper Macungie Township, which opened its doors in 2022.
The Innovation Hub’s state-of-the-art labs support Evonik’s global research, development, and innovation strategy, creating and analyzing small product batches and devising ways to scale them to meet customer needs quickly and efficiently. It is the ideal place for a driven and inquisitive person like Arahill.
His mentors, or “work dads,” as he calls them, offer guidance while giving him autonomy to explore new concepts and machinery.
“Rather than providing all the answers, they challenged me to learn and develop on my own. They handed me the documentation, pointed me in the right direction, and expected me to return with a solid understanding before engaging in hands-on training. That was one of the things that made me stick around,” Arahill said. “I was allowed to explore and pursue my goals. They expect a lot from me, but they also give me a very long leash.”
The work isn’t all exploration, however. Chemical laboratory testing requires meticulous documentation and strict adherence to standard operating procedures. Arahill is building these skills along with the discipline and time management needed to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines. This blend of technical training, mentorship, and real-world experience makes registered apprenticeships a powerful workforce development strategy.
Arahill's story is part of a much larger movement. Across the country, employers are increasingly embracing registered apprenticeships as a proven way to strengthen talent pipelines while closing their workforce gaps. Through iTEC, Lehigh Valley manufacturers are bringing that national strategy to life by preparing workers with the technical skills, mentorship, and real-world experience needed to succeed in advanced manufacturing.
For apprentices like Arahill, that means the opportunity to build a rewarding career. For companies like Evonik, it means investing in a skilled workforce that will drive innovation for years to come. For the Lehigh Valley, it means ensuring local manufacturers have the skilled talent they need to grow, innovate, and compete in a global economy.
Source: LVEDC