Tooling U-SME Blog

Educators Focus on Industry Needs to Build the Next Generation of Manufacturing Talent

Date: June 06, 2019
Posted by:J. Craig McAtee, Executive Director, National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers (NCATC)

Today we welcome Craig McAtee, Executive Director of the National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers (NCATC), to provide insights on how business and industry leadership teams (BILT’s) can play a crucial role in filling the manufacturing skills gap Read More.

Predicting Manufacturing Competencies of the Future

Date: May 30, 2019
Posted by:John Hindman, Director of Learning Services, Tooling U-SME

Manufacturers are focused on the digital transformation that has already begun in the industry. In fact, nearly half (47%) plan to invest in digital technology solutions in the next 24 months, according to SME’s Manufacturing in the New Industry 4.0 Era Survey.

Data is at the core of the new technology, which includes assisted devices for automation, robotics, 3D printing, cobots, augmented reality, and more. Read More.

Are You Doing Competency Modeling Right?

Date: May 15, 2019
Posted by:John Hindman, Director of Learning Services, Tooling U-SME

The question we will discuss today is: Are you doing competency modeling right? But maybe the first question should be: Are you doing competency modeling at all? You should be if you want to align your business needs with your workforce, eliminate skill gaps and drive talent development. Read More.

Let’s Make Our Workforce and Their Instructors Our Priority

Date: May 09, 2019
Posted by:Jeannine Kunz, Chief Workforce Development Officer, SME

It’s National Teacher Appreciation Week in the U.S., and at Tooling U-SME we recognize the men and women who’ve dedicated their careers to prepare and mentor our incumbent and next-generation manufacturing workforce. Their commitment is invaluable. They work diligently to equip our students with the knowledge and skills they need to learn and stay current with the latest technology and processes. Read More.

Tight Labor Market Means Time to Reskill

Date: April 30, 2019
Posted by:Jeannine Kunz, Chief Workforce Development Officer, SME

A recent story by Lauren Weber in The Wall Street Journal, highlights how, in this tight labor market, companies are starting to retrain the workers they have.

At Tooling U-SME, we see every day how reskilling manufacturing workers reduces recruiting costs and builds engaged, loyal employees by offering clear career pathways. Read More.

Celebrate National Welding Month

Date: April 24, 2019
Posted by:Jeannine Kunz, Chief Workforce Development Officer, SME

April is National Welding Month, so we thought we’d take a look at the status of the welding workforce in America.

But first, we’d like to say Happy Birthday to our friends at the American Welding Society (AWS).

This year marks their 100^th year advancing the science and art of welding. Congratulations on a decade of making a difference. Read More.

Workforce Demographics: a Common Theme at HOUSTEX 2019

Date: April 16, 2019
Posted by:Greg Surtman, workforce education strategist, and Sue Mueller, workforce development specialist, Tooling U-SME

Changing workforce demographics was a hot topic and a common theme during two educational presentations we participated in at the recent HOUSTEX manufacturing event. One was a seminar called “The Onboarding Challenge” and the other was a panel discussion on “Competing for Top Talent During a Labor Shortage.” Read More.

Workforce Insights at SAMA Conference and AME Summit

Date: April 11, 2019
Posted by:Jeannine Kunz, Chief Workforce Development Officer, SME

The face of manufacturing is changing. Advanced manufacturing technology is transforming outdated plant floors to high-tech centers of innovation. At the same time, baby boomers are exiting the workforce and passing the baton to Gen Xers, millennials and the newest addition to the labor force, Gen Z. Read More.

Technology, People and Pizza

Date: April 03, 2019
Posted by:Jeannine Kunz, Chief Workforce Development Officer, SME

Calling all pizza fans. Have you heard about Domino’s Pizza’s Points for Pies promo? Here’s how it works: Through Domino’s app, using artificial intelligence (AI), you take a photo of any pizza you are eating whether it’s from Domino’s or a competitor (a dog’s squeaky pizza toy even works). You earn points for each pizza scanned and, ultimately, that leads to free pizza. Read More.

Partnerships Offer Solutions to Skills Gap Challenges

Date: March 25, 2019
Posted by:Jeannine Kunz, Chief Workforce Development Officer, SME

Many manufacturers recognize they are challenged with a skills gap but don’t know where to start. One innovative way to address the need for training is to create a collaboration between industry and education, such as between a local manufacturer and a community college.

F&P America is a long-standing automotive supplier of specialty functional suspension products in Troy, Ohio. F&P has been challenged with finding workers who have the technical skills they need. Read More.