--- title: Empower Maryland Companies with AI Workflow Automation | FITCI description: Discover FITCI’s proven AI Workflow Automation Apprenticeship—training Maryland companies to adopt scalable, responsible AI solutions that boost productivity. --- ## Building Maryland’s Innovation Workforce Together ###### NEXUS APPRENTICESHIP INITIATIVE Four Maryland innovation organizations are building a shared apprenticeship model that connects growing companies with emerging talent and creates practical pathways into the industries driving Maryland’s economy. The NEXUS Partnership was awarded as part of the Industry Apprenticeship Accelerator by the State of Maryland Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship. ![Nexus Logo White_Kathie](https://hs.fitci.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Page%20Specific%20Images/Apprenticeship/Nexus%20Logo%20White_Kathie.png?width=450&height=300&name=Nexus%20Logo%20White_Kathie.png) **FITCI, Bethesda Green, bwtech@UMBC, and the Maryland Innovation Center are combining employer relationships, industry expertise, mentors, entrepreneurs, training resources, and regional networks to build something the next level of innovation support.** ## Connecting Talent to the Work That's Actually Emerging The needs of employers and the pathways available to talent do not always evolve at the same pace. We are building an apprenticeship framework around the needs of employers and emerging talent. #### Growing Companies Need Talent For startups and innovative businesses, hiring can be difficult, particularly in rapidly changing fields where job roles, technologies, and required skills are evolving faster than traditional workforce systems can respond. Apprenticeships give employers another way to develop talent around **real work, real business needs, and the skills their teams actually use.** #### Emerging talent needs a way in. At the same time, capable people can struggle to gain the experience employers expect without first being given an opportunity to build it. Apprenticeships create that bridge: a chance to **learn by doing, develop relevant skills, work alongside experienced professionals, build a network, and gain meaningful experience inside growing companies.** ## Four Innovation Ecosystems. One Model. Maryland already has strong entrepreneurial and workforce assets. The opportunity is to connect them. [![fitci](https://hs.fitci.org/hs-fs/hubfs/fitci.png?width=597&height=261&name=fitci.png)](https://www.fitci.org/) ##### FITCI FREDERICK COUNTY Entrepreneurship, biotechnology and life sciences, technology commercialization, startup incubation and acceleration, mentorship, capital connections, workforce development, and industry and economic-development partnerships. [![bwtech2](https://hs.fitci.org/hs-fs/hubfs/bwtech2.png?width=597&height=261&name=bwtech2.png)](https://bwtech.umbc.edu/) ##### bwtech@UMBC BALTIMORE COUNTY Cybersecurity, AI, life sciences, health and med tech, engineering, technology commercialization, entrepreneurship, and access to UMBC talent, research, and industry connections. [![mic](https://hs.fitci.org/hs-fs/hubfs/mic.png?width=597&height=261&name=mic.png)](https://mdinnovationcenter.com/) ##### Maryland Innovation Center HOWARD COUNTY Mentorship, programming, business resources, industry relationships, capital introductions, economic development networks and entrepreneur community. [![bethgr](https://hs.fitci.org/hs-fs/hubfs/bethgr.png?width=597&height=261&name=bethgr.png)](https://bethesdagreen.org/) ##### Bethesda Green MONTGOMERY COUNTY Green business incubation, climate & sustainability innovation, entrepreneur & mentor networks, workforce development, and connections to businesses, community, government, & regional economic-development partners. ## Instead of four organizations building similar systems independently, we're developing the infrastructure together, sharing what works, and creating a model with the potential to serve more employers and more apprentices across Maryland. ![Nexus Logo_Kathie](https://hs.fitci.org/hubfs/Page%20Specific%20Images/Apprenticeship/Nexus%20Logo_Kathie.png "Nexus Logo_Kathie") # AI Apprenticeship Pilot Program Businesses in nearly every industry are working to understand how artificial intelligence and automation can be used productively, responsibly, and practically. That makes AI an ideal first sector for the NEXUS apprenticeship model. Rather than training for technology in the abstract, the program connects apprentices with real workplace needs. This gives them experience applying emerging tools while helping employers explore ways to improve workflows, solve problems, and build internal capacity. We are currently developing the AI Workflow Automation Apprenticeship, and are working on more apprenticeship tracks to come... ###### BUILT TO EXPAND ## AI is only the starting point. ### Our long-term goal is to develop a framework across industries and professions that can adapt to Maryland's industries and workforce as needs change. ###### **AI & Automation** ###### **Green Tech** ###### Biotech & Life Sciences ###### **Cybersecurity** ###### Health Innovation ###### Advanced Technology Future sectors will be shaped by employer demand, workforce needs, partner expertise, available resources, and what we learn from the initial model. Build once. Learn together. Adapt where necessary. By developing shared curriculum frameworks, employer processes, mentorship systems, apprentice support, and measurement tools, NEXUS can create infrastructure that does not have to be reinvented every time the model enters a new industry or region. --- Training Partners Employer Partners Talent Pipeline Partners Government Support ### **Industry-Aligned Training Partners** BUGSS Cubes N Clouds CELLS The DMV Petri Dish Frederick Community College KnowledgeNet Consult Lemonade Howard Community College UMBC Training Center Cybersecurity Association The Universities at Shady Grove Maryland Reentry Resource Center GEORGE STREET Services Inc. ### **Industry Co-Design Employer Partners** | Advantage Tech Orases KnowledgeNet Nanocrine NanoBioFab Biofactura Blu ZoneBio Kemp Proteins Cartesian Therapeutics PEPCO, an Exelon Company Blue Wave Semiconductors Burns & McDonnell | AthenaES AirPhoton Ardent Security The Agility Network Homeschool Collective Agile Care Arsiem Maryland Reentry Resource Center George Street Services Inc. Gardenology Good Idea Solar NuCare Medical Systems | | --- | --- |   ### **Talent Pipeline Partners** Frederick County Workforce Services Governor Thomas Johnson High School Middletown High School The Agility Network Homeschool Collective Baltimore County Workforce Services WorkSource Montgomery The Universities at Shady Grove Montgomery County Black Collective Greater Baltimore Wilderness Coalition Maryland Reentry Resource Center Health Tech Alley Howard County Office of Workforce Development ### **Support from Our Local Government & Regional Leadership** Frederick County Montgomery County Howard County Baltimore County Maryland Department of Labor ### We’re Building More The AI Workflow Automation Apprenticeship is currently being developed with employer, training, workforce, and government partners. We’re testing a new way for Maryland’s innovation organizations to work together: connecting companies, talent, expertise, and opportunity across regions and industries. Complete the form to receive updates, explore participation, or request a conversation with the team.