When Jen Wolfe, Human Resources and Training Coordinator at WRICO Florida, began evaluating long-term workforce strategies, she was not looking for a short-term fix. She was looking for structure.
Like many manufacturers, WRICO needed a way to strengthen technical capability, support employee growth, and build a reliable internal talent pipeline. Jen reached out to FloridaMakes to explore apprenticeship programming and learn what implementation could look like for her organization.
Through that conversation, WRICO partnered with FloridaMakes and leveraged the Pathways to Career Opportunity Grant, which allowed the company to implement apprenticeship services at no cost. That decision created an opportunity for one employee in particular: Lilia Soria.
A Career, Not Just a Job
Lilia Soria enrolled in an advanced manufacturing apprenticeship program that combines structured academic coursework with hands-on training inside the manufacturing environment.
“I wanted more than just a job,” Lilia explains. “I wanted a long-term career with purpose, growth, and real skills.”
From day one, the program was designed around applied learning. Lilia developed technical competencies while actively contributing to production.
Through her apprenticeship, she gained experience in:
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Operating industrial machinery
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Reading and interpreting technical drawings
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Quality control and inspection processes
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Workplace safety procedures
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Problem-solving in a real manufacturing setting
These were not abstract lessons. They were skills she used immediately.
Today, Lilia continues to work in the production department and has completed her program coursework. She applies what she learned every day on the floor.
“The apprenticeship increased my confidence, technical knowledge, and ability to take on greater responsibility,” she says. “I now understand manufacturing processes more deeply and contribute more effectively to my team.”
What Apprenticeships Mean for Manufacturers
For manufacturers, workforce development is not theoretical. It impacts productivity, quality, retention, and long-term competitiveness.
Apprenticeships provide a structured way to:
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Align training with operational needs
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Develop internal talent pipelines
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Reduce onboarding friction
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Improve retention
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Build measurable skill capacity within the organization
The Pathways to Career Opportunity Grant makes participation more accessible by supporting the development and implementation of apprenticeship programming.
In WRICO’s case, the partnership provided a framework for structured skill development without adding financial strain. For Jen Wolfe and her team, that meant creating a pathway where employees could grow while directly supporting production goals.
Discipline, Structure, and Growth
Balancing full-time work with coursework required discipline and commitment from Lilia. She credits organization and focus as key to her success.
That balance is intentional. Apprenticeships are designed to combine accountability with opportunity. Participants are employees first, building real value for their companies while advancing their own careers.
Lilia’s future goals reflect that mindset. She plans to continue expanding her technical and leadership skills and use her experience to create opportunities for others.
“I would absolutely recommend this type of training,” she says. “Apprenticeship programs change lives. They provide real-world experience, build confidence, and open doors to meaningful and sustainable careers.”
A Scalable Workforce Solution
As manufacturers across Florida evaluate workforce challenges, apprenticeship programming continues to demonstrate measurable results. It is not simply about filling roles. It is about building capability.
WRICO’s partnership with FloridaMakes illustrates how employer initiative, structured training, and grant-supported programming can come together to strengthen both individual careers and company performance.
For manufacturers considering apprenticeship pathways, the question is not whether talent development matters. It is how to implement it in a way that aligns with operations, culture, and long-term strategy.
FloridaMakes works directly with manufacturers to provide and support apprenticeship programs that meet those needs.
Click here to learn more about FloridaMakes Apprenticeships or the Pathways to Career Opportunity Grant.
Building the next generation of skilled manufacturing talent starts with partnership.
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