Episode 124
How UNITED GRINDING Prepares the Next Generation of Manufacturing Leaders
Building Leaders Through Apprenticeships
Join host Sannah Vinding for this episode with Andreas Brockmann, Apprenticeship Coordinator at United Grinding North America. With more than 30 years in engineering and training, Andreas has dedicated his career to building apprenticeship programs that give young technicians the skills, habits, and confidence they need to succeed in manufacturing.
In this insight-packed conversation, you’ll hear:
- Why Apprenticeships Are a Long-Term Investment: Learn how United Grinding’s four-year program builds both technical skills and soft skills while strengthening company culture.
- The Key to Launching a Program: Hear Andreas’ biggest lessons on getting management buy-in and starting small without overcomplicating the process.
- Mentorship as Leadership: Discover why being a guide and mentor, not a dictator, is the most effective way to grow future leaders.
- The Culture Shift Apprenticeships Create: Find out how young talent brings fresh energy to established teams and why it transforms the workplace for the better.
If you want practical insights on how to grow the next generation of talent, and what it takes to build a successful apprenticeship program in today’s manufacturing world, this episode is packed with lessons you can put into practice.
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“A leader should be a mentor, someone who guides and coaches, not someone who dictates. The goal is to help people grow their own path inside the company.”
Key takeaways
Apprenticeships Are an Investment in the Future
Training programs are not a cost but a long-term investment. Apprenticeships prepare young talent with both technical and soft skills while building a stronger company culture.
Mentorship Builds Better Leaders
Leadership is about guiding and coaching, not dictating. When leaders act as mentors, they help others grow their own path while strengthening the organization as a whole.
Culture Shifts with New Talent
Bringing apprentices into the workplace creates fresh energy, new habits, and a forward-looking mindset that helps companies adapt and thrive.
“Leadership isn’t about titles, it’s about mentoring, listening, and creating space for people to grow into their potential.”
“Leadership is about listening and being open. When you listen more, you give others the chance to develop, and you learn in the process too.”
Show Notes
In this episode of the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast, host Sannah Vinding sits down with Andreas Brockmann, Apprenticeship Coordinator at United Grinding North America.
With more than 30 years in engineering and training, Andreas has spent his career building apprenticeship programs that give young technicians the skills, confidence, and mindset to thrive in manufacturing. He shares why apprenticeships are more than just training; they are an investment in people, culture, and the long-term future of the industry.
The conversation explores the realities of launching a four-year apprenticeship program, from gaining management buy-in to balancing technical and soft skills, and how mentorship plays a central role in shaping tomorrow’s leaders. Andreas also opens up about lessons learned, the culture shift apprentices bring, and why sometimes the most important leadership skill is simply listening.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
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Why apprenticeships are a long-term investment, not just a cost
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How to start an apprenticeship program without overcomplicating it
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The role mentorship plays in effective leadership development
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How apprenticeships transform company culture and workforce readiness
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Why listening and staying curious are essential leadership skills
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This episode is packed with practical insights for leaders, managers, and anyone passionate about developing the next generation of manufacturing talent.
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Guest
Andreas Brockmann
Apprenticeship Coordinator, UNITED GRINDING North America
Andreas Brockmann is an engineer and educator with 30+ years of experience in manufacturing, automation, and workforce development. He currently serves as Apprenticeship Coordinator at UNITED GRINDING North America, where he leads a four-year program that blends classroom instruction with hands-on CNC and mechatronics training. His work strengthens the pipeline of skilled talent for advanced manufacturing.
Previously, Andreas held leadership roles in technical training at Festo Didactic, Altix Academy, and York Technical College, where he developed industry-aligned programs in mechatronics and industrial maintenance. Recognized as a Workforce Hero by the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals, he is dedicated to building apprenticeship pathways, mentoring future leaders, and advancing Industry 4.0 skills.
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