A long-time West Virginia education professional has joined the Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center’s (MAMC) growing Apprenticeship Works team as technical trainer.
In her new role, Dr. Ann Thomas of Beckley provides train-the-trainer services nationwide for manufacturers that implement U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeships through Apprenticeship Works, the National Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeship Partnership at MAMC.
“In industry, you may know your craft but you may not necessarily know how to relate your craft to someone else,” Thomas explained. “My job is to teach you – the trainer – how to better connect, better instruct, better assess the trainee. You know how to do job but you may not know how to teach it or share your skills and knowledge with an apprentice or trainee.”
Thomas also works with West Virginia high school career and technical education programs to train teachers how to use online platforms to deliver related technical instruction to high school students enrolled in MAMC manufacturing pre-apprenticeships.
She previously worked in post-secondary career and technical education and in the West Virginia Community & Technical College System for the past 15 years.
A native of Lincoln County, Thomas is graduate of Guyan Valley High School. She earned a regent’s bachelor of arts degree and a bachelor of science degree in career technical education from West Virginia University Institute of Technology. Thomas also earned a master’s degree in education and a doctorate degree in curriculum instruction and assessment, both from Walden University.
When she’s not working, Thomas enjoys camping with her husband, an air ambulance pilot, and antiquing with her grown daughters, the oldest of which is an environmental and sustainability manager for Nucor in Texas, while the youngest is an upcoming freshman at Marshall University.
* The total cost of Apprenticeship Works is $7,103,847. The $7,103,847 is funded entirely through a U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration grant.
June 29, 2026
