Tooling U-SME Blog

Accelerate Your Success

Date: June 08, 2017
Posted by:Dave Ewers, Director of Content Development, Tooling U-SME

Somehow it’s June, and we are halfway through the year.

We talk with manufacturers all around the country who are optimistic about the potential for strong business results...but concerned this success could be in jeopardy due to a lack of skilled workers.

Growth, productivity, customer satisfaction, safety — all business results are contingent on having qualified, motivated people in the right positions.

But there is a shift in the industry. Manufacturers are tired of waiting around to see what the job market produces on its own and are taking control by creating and sustaining their own pipeline. Read More.

Building a Culture of Continuous Improvement

Date: June 06, 2017
Posted by:Jeannine Kunz, Chief Workforce Development Officer, SME

Regardless of the industry, business competitiveness is fundamental. Lean thinking helps improve competitiveness by instilling a culture of continuous improvement. In a Lean culture, the entire organization is committed to a thought process and actions that increase productivity, sales, and market share. Lean methodology aims to deliver maximum value while minimizing waste.

Today, in order to be successful, all areas of a company – beyond production – need Lean thinking. Read More.

Partnership in Workforce Education Drives Business Results

Date: May 31, 2017
Posted by:Jeannine Kunz, Chief Workforce Development Officer, SME

We always advise our customers developing a new or enhanced training program to attach their goals to business results. After all, the desired end-result of a training program is a strong company, which contributes to a strong nation.

And we are always excited to partner with organizations that speak the same language. Read More.

Making Way with Additive

Date: May 25, 2017
Posted by:Jeannine Kunz, Chief Workforce Development Officer, 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, Chief Workforce Development Officer, 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, Chief Workforce Development Officer, 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, Chief Workforce Development Officer, 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.