Blog | Tooling U-SME

Celebrating Career and Technical Education

Date: February 28, 2018
Posted by:Jeannine Kunz, Vice President, Tooling U-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.

Partnerships Make Nationwide Aerospace Engineering Apprenticeship Program a Reality

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

Last week, we announced Tooling U-SME’s involvement in the development and registration of the nation’s first Aerospace Engineering Apprenticeship – a new national learning program created for the engineering discipline. Tooling U-SME collaborated with the South Bay Workforce Investment Board (SBWIB) and the Aero-Flex team of employers and colleges to build the first registered apprenticeship, which was approved by the U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship Office (USDOL). Read More.

Project-Based Curriculum Reduces Manufacturers’ Skills Gaps

Date: February 20, 2018
Posted by:Elizabeth Pluskwik, PhD, Business Professor, Minnesota State University

Elizabeth Pluskwik, PhD, leads the Engineering Economics, Entrepreneurial and Lean competencies at Iron Range Engineering, a project-based engineering education program at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

In 2009, northern Minnesota was experiencing a “brain drain,” with engineering students learning and leaving. We wanted them to learn and stay! Read More.

SME Leaders among Crain’s Notable Women in Manufacturing

Date: February 13, 2018
Posted by:Jeff Krause, Chief Executive Officer, SME

At the end of 2017, manufacturing employed more than 12.5 million Americans. Notably, women made up nearly 3.5 million of that sum. As the industry continues to advance, so does its workforce. Such a diverse workforce is essential for cultivating new ideas, technology and opportunities that will help to sustain manufacturing’s success.

Last year alone saw the highest growth of women in manufacturing since 1997. To increase and preserve this growth we must continue to provide influential role models that will inspire the next generation. Read More.

Business Intermediary Is Leading the Way with Apprenticeship Solutions for the ‘Silver Tsunami’

Date: February 05, 2018
Posted by:Martha Ponge, Director of Apprenticeships, MACNY of Central New York

Ponge discusses MACNY’s collaboration with other associations, workforce boards and industry to lead the way in providing small- to medium-sized companies with an opportunity to fill their workforce pipelines by being a business intermediary for DOL Apprenticeships. Read More.

Manufacturing’s New Training Model

Date: January 30, 2018
Posted by:Jeannine Kunz, Vice President, Tooling U-SME

Education theories are constantly evolving, and one big shift is around the delivery of skills and knowledge for those entering a career in manufacturing.

For years, learning has been time-based. Whether in a community college, vocational school or workplace, the measurement of success has been based on classroom hours and letter grades. You know the drill: Attend classes, pass tests, move to the next course. Read More.

Help Wanted: Welders

Date: January 25, 2018
Posted by:Jeannine Kunz, Vice President, Tooling U-SME

I recently had the opportunity to talk with FF Journal about workforce issues impacting the welding profession. Manufacturing is changing…and so is the welding job description. Automation is at the center of the transformation.

New materials, new technology…these changes in the field are opening up career opportunities for welders – whether relative beginners or those with decades of experience looking to expand their knowledge and skills. Today, individuals must know how to lay down a seam and know how to program and problem solve for robotic welding systems. Read More.

Automotive Workforce Development: A Report with Challenges and Solutions

Date: January 18, 2018
Posted by:Jeff Krause, Chief Executive Officer, SME

For many years, American manufacturing was defined by the might and capability of automotive manufacturing and the businesses producing automotive parts and products; it remains an important part of the American economy. The U.S. auto industry saw 2017 sales of 17.2 million vehicles – the third-straight year of sales over 17 million vehicles. More than 948,200 U.S. workers are employed in auto manufacturing jobs, producing vehicles and parts for a domestic market – and a growing global market. Read More.

Apprenticeships — Passé or Panacea? And why all the hype?

Date: January 08, 2018
Posted by:Bruce Hamm

As the former Director of Business Engagement at MACNY The Manufacturers Association, Bruce Hamm created and developed a Central New York-based registered apprenticeship program in advanced manufacturing and acted as business intermediary with the companies and the NY Department of Labor. A partner with Tooling U-SME, he shares his insights about the current state of apprenticeships in America. Read More.