Blog | Tooling U-SME

Community Programs and Online Learning Provide Solutions for Skills Gap

Date: October 30, 2018
Posted by:John Hindman, Director of Learning Services, Tooling U-SME

The manufacturing skills gap affects companies of all sizes, in all industries, in all parts of the country. Up to 2 million manufacturing jobs remain unfilled – and for small- and medium-sized companies in remote areas, filling the workforce pipeline can be a considerable challenge.

In the recently released Industry Pulse: 2018 Manufacturing Report, Tooling U-SME found that many actions companies can take to develop and retain employees are within their control, yet the majority are not taking these steps. Read More.

Strike the Right Balance: Boost Training Without Sacrificing Production

Date: October 23, 2018
Posted by:John Hindman, Director of Learning Services, Tooling U-SME

For years, the “the skills gap” has been threatening to slow growth in the manufacturing industry. At IMTS last month, Tooling U-SME released the Industry Pulse: 2018 Manufacturing Workforce Report which shows that despite repeated warnings, still little has been done when it comes to combatting the dangers of retirements, a decreased talent pipeline and the need for new, advanced technology skills. In fact, only two out of five companies (41%) agree that their company trains people to develop the right skills. Read More.

Model for Career Tech High School Provides Career and College Pathways

Date: October 16, 2018
Posted by:John Green, Instructor, Lorain County Joint Vocational School (JVS)

John Green, a precision machine technology instructor from Lorain County Joint Vocational School (JVS) in Oberlin, Ohio, shares how he and his team are encouraging students looking for career tech experience to explore career paths and enroll in one of the Lorain County JVS technical programs. Read how students gain skills while earning a diploma from their associate high schools, while businesses in the community support the graduates with job placement in various careers. Read More.

Making Career Development a Priority in America

Date: October 10, 2018
Posted by:Jeannine Kunz, Vice President, Tooling U-SME

Manufacturers in America and around the globe are experiencing challenges finding skilled workers to fill available openings. Although there is optimism for sustained growth in the industry, the sector continues to face retirements and technology advancements that further impact the shortage of skilled workers. Another factor interfering with the industry’s progress is low awareness of, or interest in, manufacturing career opportunities among youth. Read More.

Getting Hands-On with Elearning: Instructor Perspectives

Date: October 01, 2018
Posted by:Therese M. Schustrich, Account Executive, Workforce Education, Tooling U-SME

For years, instructors in manufacturing have been teaching students with the traditional method of classroom instruction followed by hands-on training in the lab. It’s no secret that they prefer the hands-on portion of that training but know that the theory is mandatory.

More and more instructors are turning to elearning to give them more time in the lab while still providing a comprehensive curriculum for their students. To get a sense of what instructors are doing to keep students integrated and engaged with elearning ... Read More.

Seize Opportunities with Preparation

Date: September 26, 2018
Posted by:Jeannine Kunz, Vice President, Tooling U-SME

Advanced technology gives manufacturers opportunities to innovate, evolve, and grow. Nowhere is this clearer than at IMTS, where more than 2,500 exhibitors displayed state-of-the-art technology that will transform how we make and manage things.

I have been attending IMTS for the last 18 years, and the energy and enthusiasm at this year’s event was the most I have witnessed since 2000. Business is good, confidence is up, and buyers have money to spend. Attendees and exhibitors alike are encouraged by the current strong market. Read More.

College-Sponsored Apprenticeships Are Filling The Manufacturing Workforce Pipeline

Date: September 19, 2018
Posted by:Rebecca S. Lake, EdD, Dean of Workforce and Economic Development, Harper College

Rebecca Lake, from Harper College in Palatine, Illinois, joins us to discuss the role of community colleges as sponsors of apprenticeship programs to help fill the manufacturing skills gap. Read More.

The Skills Gap: Manufacturing’s Greatest Challenge

Date: September 11, 2018
Posted by:Jeannine Kunz, Vice President, Tooling U-SME

This week, more than 115,000 manufacturers will gather in Chicago for IMTS to get ideas and find answers to their manufacturing challenges. They will see new technology demonstrated, talk to technical experts and find inspiration.

There’s a lot of talk about ways to cut costs, boost quality and productivity, keep up with new technology, improve plant operations and find new business. But when you dig deeper, it really comes down to building a skilled workforce. Manufacturing’s greatest challenge continues to be the skills gap. Read More.

Study: Workforce training decreases downtime

Date: September 04, 2018
Posted by:Jeannine Kunz, Vice President, Tooling U-SME

Productivity losses due to unplanned equipment shutdowns are detrimental to all manufacturers.

While downtime is most often associated with equipment breakdowns, it also encompasses any unplanned event that causes your manufacturing process to stop -- machine repair, poor operator setup, operator errors, inadequate production planning, or a shortage of qualified operators. Read More.

Product Quality Rises with Increased Workforce Training

Date: August 28, 2018
Posted by:Jeannine Kunz, Vice President, Tooling U-SME

Product quality is a critical competitive issue and a never-ending challenge for manufacturers. But just how big of a challenge is it expected to be in the next three years?

According to Tooling U-SME’s Industry Pulse 2018: Manufacturing Workforce Study, 80 percent of respondents indicated that quality improvements will be at least somewhat challenging over the several years. Read More.