Blog | Tooling U-SME

Graduating to Real Life

Date: June 29, 2016
Posted by:Krista Maurer

As “Pomp and Circumstance” rings out across the nation, Career and Technical Education (CTE) students — and parents — are hoping high school skills translate to jobs.

One program that is removing the guesswork is the West Virginia Department of Education’s Simulated Workplace. Students from the program are heading into manufacturing careers with strong technical skills and real-life work experience. Read More.

Apprenticeships Done Right

Date: June 09, 2016
Posted by:Krista Maurer

In September, the U.S. Department of Labor awarded $175 million to 46 applicants through its American Apprenticeship grant competition. This investment highlights the importance of this training approach for helping fill the many job openings in manufacturing today.

One of our customer partners, Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor, Michigan, is an example of a school doing apprenticeships right. They have 120 apprentices working for about 40 companies. Some local businesses employ as many as 14 apprentices at a time. Read More.

Five Best Practices For Building A Strong Workforce

Date: May 17, 2016
Posted by:John Hindman, Director of Learning Services, Tooling U-SME

Last year, the average training investment per employee across all industries was $1,229. That sounds promising, right? When we isolate the industry to manufacturing, however, that number falls to just $745.20 per employee.

This lack of commitment to workforce development is surprising, since we know that world-class companies are outperforming others in large part because they manage and train their workforces differently. Read More.

Go Non-Traditional with Training

Date: April 26, 2016
Posted by:Krista Maurer

Nearly nine out of 10 manufacturers (88 percent) said their company is having problems finding skilled workers in manufacturing, according to Tooling U-SME’s upcoming Readiness Assessment Insights Report (shhhh…don’t tell that we are sharing this stat early!).

That skilled labor gap is impacting quality, innovation, profitability and more. And, you’ve heard it before: this shortage is expected to increase by the year 2021. Read More.

Tying Training ROI to the Bottom Line

Date: April 04, 2016
Posted by:Jeannine Kunz, Vice President, Tooling U-SME

One of the frequently asked questions at our recent tuX event was: how do I convince upper management there is a return on investment (ROI) for training?

It’s a common struggle. While human resources teams, plant managers and supervisors recognize that substandard training can lead to productivity, quality and safety concerns, many don’t know how to communicate the value of investing in human capital to higher-level decision makers. Read More.

Dial Up? What’s That?

Date: February 18, 2016
Posted by:Therese M. Schustrich, Account Executive, Workforce Education, Tooling U-SME

It’s amazing to look back and see just how far technology has come in a few short years.

I was reminded of this recently when talking with our friends (and long-time customers) over at Ogden-Weber Tech College in Ogden, Utah. Back in 2004, responding to local employer need for a strong pipeline of manufacturing workers, the school placed a bold bet on technology. They introduced online training as part of a blended learning approach.

As Bret Holmes, machinist coordinator and instructor, reminded us, “Back in 2004, there was no T-1 connection – it was all dial up.” Read More.

Concerned about your bottom line? Join us at tuX!

Date: January 28, 2016
Posted by:Chad Schron, Senior Director, Tooling U-SME

Our customers tell us their biggest challenges are around assessing, training and developing their workforce to achieve real results. Sound familiar?

If so, we invite you to join us at our annual tuX event, where Tooling U-SME gathers together industry leaders and customers to talk about pressing issues related to the future of manufacturing. We guarantee some lively conversation!

At this year’s gathering, March 7-9, 2016, in Nashville, we again expect valuable information-sharing, networking and problem-solving as we focus on how to maximize the bottom line impact of training programs. Read More.

Trending: Flexible Learning

Date: January 12, 2016
Posted by:Krista Maurer

After reading all the 2016 trend lists featuring items like virtual reality devices, raw milk cheese, and fringe, I started thinking about trends in manufacturing training. I dub 2016 the year of Flexible Learning. Here’s why:

Customizable and flexible programs are an excellent model for schools across the country that are looking for better ways to create programs that develop the skilled labor local manufacturers need. Read More.

Back to School: Four Tips for Building Engagement From Day One

Date: January 04, 2016
Posted by:Krista Maurer

In his book, Y-size Your Business, Jason Ryan Dorsey writes that millennials make a decision about whether to stay with a company long-term by the end of the first day. The first day of school is equally as important.

The beginning of a new school year, or the start of a new semester, is the perfect time for educators to review their introductory approach to ensure that they are connecting with students from day one, leading to rapid engagement, lower drop rates and a thriving student body. Read More.

The Gift of State Funding & Productivity Gains

Date: December 17, 2015
Posted by:Gretchen Schultz

Few places are as charming as Newburyport, Mass. during the holiday season. Think twinkle lights, festive trees and holiday strolls on cobblestone streets.

Yet, this historic town is more than a pretty face; it’s also substance as the home of a growing manufacturer that leads the way in workforce development: Arwood Machine Corporation, a high precision machine shop. Read More.