Product Quality Rises with Increased Workforce Training

  • Date: August 28, 2018
  • Posted by:Jeannine Kunz, Chief Workforce Development Officer, 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, Chief Workforce Development Officer, 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, Chief Workforce Development Officer, 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, Chief Workforce Development Officer, 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.

Community Partnering with Customized Internships Fills Goodyear Skills Gap

  • Date: August 07, 2018
  • Posted by:Kevin Henson, Technical Training Coordinator, Great Plains Technology Center

Kevin Henson joins us today to discuss how Great Plains Technology Center, and its longtime training and economic partner Goodyear Tire and Rubber, collaborated to develop an industrial maintenance internship to fill Goodyear’s workforce pipeline. Read More.