Blog | Tooling U-SME

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.

Proper Training a Must for Employee Safety

Date: August 21, 2018
Posted by:Jeannine Kunz, Vice President, Tooling U-SME

One of the biggest reasons for production slowdowns is workplace injuries. And one of the biggest reasons for workplace injuries is lack of employee training.

Picture the following scenario, which is happening with increasing regularity as aging Baby Boomers leave the manufacturing workforce. One of your best workers, who’s been with your company for years and knows your operation inside and out, retires. Replacing that worker will require screening, HR time, onboarding and training — including safety training. Read More.

Workforce Study: Formalized Training Reduces Scrap and Rework

Date: August 14, 2018
Posted by:Jeannine Kunz, Vice President, Tooling U-SME

Scrap and rework costs are a reality for manufacturers across all industries. Wasted prototypes, parts that don't fit properly, and changes in materials are just some of the many things that cause scrap and rework costs. But their impact on a manufacturing organization is the same — wasted time and money. Although it is near-impossible to eliminate scrap and rework completely, you can reduce the amount in your organization by upskilling your workforce with training that addresses issues such as quality, inspection, and lean. Read More.

New Technology Requires Advanced Workforce Training

Date: August 09, 2018
Posted by:Jeannine Kunz, Vice President, Tooling U-SME

“Smart Manufacturing” has been a hot topic in industry over the past few years. So it’s not surprising that many manufacturers are experiencing challenges related to smart manufacturing technologies. According to the latest Tooling U-SME Industry Pulse: Manufacturing Workforce Study, 82 percent of respondents indicate that implementing smart technologies is going to be at least somewhat challenging over the next three years, while 41 percent say it will be very or extremely challenging. Read More.