Autokiniton Invests in Workforce Growth Through Apprenticeships and Going PRO Support

Autokiniton, a provider of automotive components and assembly solutions for the mobility industry, is located in Elkton, in Michigan’s rural Thumb region. Hiring and retaining both skilled and unskilled laborers has always been a challenge in this area. To address this, Autokiniton has developed robust Apprenticeship Programs in Tool & Die, Electrical, and Machine Maintenance, recruiting talent from within their existing workforce. By investing in employee education and training, the company strengthens retention and builds a more skilled internal pipeline.

These apprenticeship programs have proven highly successful, helping to transition unskilled laborers into skilled roles and allowing the company to promote from within. However, as employees advance, the need for additional unskilled labor arises. Recognizing the costs associated with training, Autokiniton worked with GST Michigan Works! to apply for a Going PRO Talent Fund grant to offset some of those expenses.

Through the Going PRO grant, Autokiniton was able to fund classroom training at Delta College and provide On-the-Job Training (OJT) for 16 current apprentices and 5 new hire apprentices. In addition, the grant supported OJT for 20 new Production Operators.

The hands-on training for Production Operators has proven effective in reducing quality alerts and improving employee retention. Training alongside experienced colleagues has boosted morale and accelerated the learning process. Meanwhile, the apprentices continue to grow through their combined classroom and on-the-job training, resulting in increased knowledge, responsibility, and wages.

Autokiniton’s commitment to developing talent from within is paying off—not only in employee satisfaction and retention, but also in the overall quality and efficiency of their operations.