Stanley Black & Decker Industry 4.0

Making Way with Additive

Date: May 25, 2017
Posted by:Jeannine Kunz, Vice President, Tooling U-SME

With all the buzz surrounding additive manufacturing, you’d think it was created yesterday. The truth is, additive has been around for quite a while—since the early 1980s. What makes this technology so exciting right now is its affordability and the advances in materials that are now hitting the market. With prices as low as $500, just about anyone can buy a 3D printer today. And the advances in materials, especially in metals, are helping to bring this futuristic technology to mainstream manufacturing. Read More.

Smart Manufacturing Magazine Sponsors Talent Contest

Date: May 24, 2017
Posted by:Brett Brune

Today, we welcome Brett Brune, Editor in Chief of Smart Manufacturing, as a guest blogger. Brett asks readers to sing their hearts out about the importance of operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) coming together. Yes, it’s the first-ever Smart Manufacturing talent contest! Come together and send in those entries! Read More.

Improving the Workforce with the Power of Three

Date: May 16, 2017
Posted by:Duane Hebert

This week, we were fortunate that the 2017 Industry Week Manufacturing & Technology Conference took place right in our hometown of Cleveland.

And, I got to share the podium with Craig McAtee, Executive Director, National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers to deliver a presentation called, “Creating, Managing and Maintaining a High Performing Workforce by Partnering with the ‘Power of 3.’” Read More.

Apprenticeship Expands Workforce and Changes Lives

Date: May 11, 2017
Posted by:Krista Maurer

Tooling U-SME is proud to congratulate our partners at the Robert C. Byrd Institute (RCBI) for being recognized by the Department of Labor (DOL) with the ApprenticeshipUSA Leader designation for developing and delivering apprenticeship education that meets the needs of employers and employees.

Through grant funding, RCBI offers apprenticeships to traditionally underrepresented populations such as women, minorities, and people with disabilities, expanding the pool of qualified workers. This fast-track program also can lead to direct certifications, establishing journey-level credentials desperately needed by today’s manufacturers. Read More.

Pulse Check: Workforce Insights Revealed

Date: May 08, 2017
Posted by:Jeannine Kunz, Vice President, Tooling U-SME

This week, we had an extraordinary opportunity to gather manufacturers together from across the country at our annual tuX event – and get a read on how things are going in the industry related to training and development.

Some feedback was not surprising. For instance, a poll of attendees found that nearly everyone (98%) said production is impacted by lack of skilled workers.

OJT Best Practices: Part II

Date: April 28, 2017
Posted by:Jeannine Kunz, Vice President, Tooling U-SME

Last week, we started looking at best practices for on-the-job training (OJT).

With an incoming pipeline of unskilled workers, OJT is more important than ever. Manufacturers that are out in front of the skills gap are formalizing — and validating — the transfer of knowledge from seasoned employees to younger members of the workforce. Read More.

OJT Best Practices: Part I

Date: April 21, 2017
Posted by:Jeannine Kunz, Vice President, Tooling U-SME

The retirement of millions of experienced and knowledgeable workers is creating a situation similar to that during World War II. At that time in history, the incumbent manufacturing workforce went off to fight, leaving a skills gap. A “new” workforce was needed – and had to be trained quickly. (Hello Rosie the Riveter!)

While the reasons are different, the need to train quickly, and effectively, is once again a priority today. Read More.

Building That Pipeline. One Apprentice at a Time.

Date: April 13, 2017
Posted by:Jeannine Kunz, Vice President, Tooling U-SME

At Tooling U-SME, we have the privilege of working with hundreds of manufacturers of all sizes across the country. We hear about their challenges with filling the people pipeline and are happy to share winning strategies and solutions from other companies that once faced similar struggles.

One company we hold up as a role model is KYOCERA SGS Precision Tools (KSPT), based in Munroe Falls, Ohio, which produces solid carbide cutting tools. This 65-year-old manufacturer is the epitome of a high-impact learning organization (HILO). Read More.

Drive Business Results: Lessons from tuX Experts

Date: April 06, 2017
Posted by:Jeannine Kunz, Vice President, Tooling U-SME

As our upcoming high-performance workforce conference tuX approaches, I am so inspired. . . and encouraged about the future of manufacturing.

This is our sixth tuX event, and it keeps getting better. This year’s gathering presents the best of theory and application when it comes to building a high-performance workforce and driving measureable business results.

Kevin Martin, Chief Research and Marketing Officer, i4cp, a human capital research and data firm, will kick it off with a keynote address, “Four Steps to Building a Learning Culture.” Read More.

The Ultimate Industry Meet Up

Date: March 30, 2017
Posted by:Jeannine Kunz, Vice President, Tooling U-SME

Each year, the team at Tooling U-SME is privileged to host an event that celebrates an astounding show of industry camaraderie and shared commitment to the future of manufacturing. The venue is tuX, our annual gathering of manufacturers passionate about developing a high-performance workforce.

It is an impressive meet up of whip-smart professionals — often competitors — focused on how the development of human capital can bring a valuable return on investment to their organization. Read More.