Tooling U-SME Blog

Smart Manufacturing Experience Comes to Boston

Date: April 30, 2018
Posted by:Jeannine Kunz, Chief Workforce Development Officer, SME

This week, the inaugural Smart Manufacturing Experience event takes place April 30-May 2 at the Boston Convention Center. Thousands of manufacturers are joining to learn more about how to strategically — and practically — thrive during this digital revolution. Read More.

Innovative Training for the New Collar Workforce is Key to Bridging the Skills Gap

Date: April 24, 2018
Posted by:Sarah Boisvert, Chief 3D Printing Officer, Potomac Photonics

Sarah Boisvert is the Founder and CEO of Fab Lab Hub, a part of the international Fab Lab Network based at MIT's Center for Bits and Atoms in Cambridge MA. She is the co-founder of Potomac Photonics, Inc., a laser micro machining company in Maryland that she and partners sold in 1999. Read More.

Automation Impacts Welding Profession

Date: April 18, 2018
Posted by:Jeannine Kunz, Chief Workforce Development Officer, SME

When it comes to job openings for maintenance and repair workers, welding is one of the top four skills requested, according to Burning Glass Technologies’ Labor Insight Jobs report.

That’s not surprising since the welding industry is expected to face a shortage of 400,000 operators by 2024, our partners at the American Welding Society tell us. This is primarily due to the aging population of current welders and a skills gap of qualified employees to fill open positions. Read More.

Manufacturers: Robots Are Friends, Not Foes

Date: April 12, 2018
Posted by:Jeff Krause, Chief Executive Officer, SME

When I think about robots, a few things come to mind: Automation, smart manufacturing, artificial intelligence, R2-D2, WALL-E and better opportunities for workers. Robots have clearly impacted pop culture, but also many industries throughout the U.S. including agriculture, healthcare, defense, and manufacturing. This week, April 7-15, we celebrate National Robotics Week (#RoboWeek) to acknowledge the importance of the robotics industry, especially in relation to manufacturing. Read More.

Don’t Fear Change, Embrace It

Date: March 26, 2018
Posted by:Richard Evans, LBC

Richard Evans, LBC, is a Lean Coach, Certified Training Within Industry (TWI) Instructor, and President of JR Lean. He is also the President of AME Canada and Immediate Past Chair of the Lean Certification Oversight and Appeals Committee. Read More.

Capitol Hill Testimony: Advancing Apprenticeships for Small Business

Date: March 22, 2018
Posted by:Jeannine Kunz, Chief Workforce Development Officer, SME

On Tuesday, the House Committee on Small Business Subcommittee on Contracting and Workforce heard from a panel of witnesses on apprenticeship initiatives—specifically, the Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Program. Read More.

SME Celebrates Women in Manufacturing on International Women’s Day

Date: March 14, 2018
Posted by:Jeff Krause, Chief Executive Officer, SME

Last week, women across the world were celebrated on International Women's Day, part of Women's History Month. This month, our schools, workplaces, and communities recognize and celebrate the achievements made by American women.

Get Smart: Train for Advanced Tech Skills

Date: March 08, 2018
Posted by:Jeannine Kunz, Chief Workforce Development Officer, SME

Advanced Manufacturing Media recently explored the skills gap, including how it is impacted by quickly advancing technology.

For years, we have encouraged manufacturers — and provided tools for them — to take steps to stem the current and future loss of skilled workers. The reasons are familiar: experienced baby boomers are retiring, jobs are returning to the U.S., and the talent pipeline is not as robust as it once was. Read More.

Celebrating Career and Technical Education

Date: February 28, 2018
Posted by:Jeannine Kunz, Chief Workforce Development Officer, SME

CTE Month ends today, and we couldn’t let February close without acknowledging the significant contributions of Career and Technical Education programs in high schools across the country. From simulated workplaces to industry partnerships, CTE programs focused on manufacturing are an invaluable resource for local communities. These programs provide students with excellent technical and career-ready training to prepare them for jobs with advanced manufacturing companies that so greatly need a fresh pipeline of highly skilled workers. Read More.

4 Myths About Millennials (And the Reality!)

Date: February 27, 2018
Posted by:John Hindman, Director of Learning Services, Tooling U-SME

A top condition of a manufacturer’s competitiveness is access to a talented workforce. Yet we are in challenging times: U.S. Labor Department data indicates that as of June 2017, some 419,000 manufacturing jobs remain unfilled.

But, hey! The millennial generation is made up of 92 million people! That’s the answer! Read More.