Building a Workforce Pipeline Through Apprenticeship

• Date: November 14, 2017
• Posted by:Tim Walker

Today we are pleased to welcome Tim Walker, Training & Development Specialist from Pequot Tool & Manufacturing, a precision machining and fabrication contract manufacturer that is tackling its workforce challenges through apprenticeships.

In a remote area, about three hours north of Minneapolis, sits a small town of 448 and a manufacturer called Pequot Tool & Manufacturing (PTM). PTM offers precision machining and fabrication services, and is a contract manufacturer. We sell expertise. The company was founded in 1981 and has roughly 170 employees. It's a privately held, second-generation, family-owned business, which in itself has some interesting dynamics. Read More.

National Apprenticeship Week is Here!

• Date: November 13, 2017
• Posted by:Jeannine Kunz, Vice President, Tooling U-SME

Starting today, to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week (Nov. 13-19), we will share a series of blog posts that introduce you to companies, individuals and educators that are making a difference through apprenticeship programs. Our blog posts about apprenticeships receive our highest readership so we know you are interested in this effective approach to solving the skills gap. Read More.

Lessons from FABTECH

• Date: November 10, 2017
• Posted by:Jeannine Kunz, Vice President, Tooling U-SME

FABTECH 2017 has come to an end, closing out a year of great manufacturing industry events for SME. Tens of thousands of people converged on McCormick Place in Chicago for the annual event, which showcased the latest products, developments, and solutions in metal forming, fabricating, welding, and finishing.

Over the years, we’ve all witnessed manufacturing’s ups and downs and certainly the challenges being faced by the industry. But today, we see renewed faith in the sector’s renaissance, and the biggest reason for so much optimism lies with advanced manufacturing technology. Read More.

Why Educators Need to Stay Ahead of the Curve

• Date: November 02, 2017
• Posted by:J. Craig McAtee, Executive Director, National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers (NCATC)

Today, we welcome Craig McAtee, Executive Director, National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers (NCATC), strategic partner and consultant for Tooling U-SME in Workforce and Education Development.

The idea that only manufacturers need to stay current with the emerging trends in advanced technology for their industry is a misnomer. As a pipeline to manufacturers, the workforce education community also must stay ahead of the technical education curve to meet the current and future demands for the next generation of workers along with upskilling the incumbent workforce. Read More.

Are You Part of the Industrial Evolution?

• Date: October 25, 2017
• Posted by:John Hindman, Director of Learning Services, Tooling U-SME

What will manufacturing look like in five years? Ten years?

Attend FABTECH in November to find out. With more than 1,700 exhibitors spread out over 750,000 square feet of space and 500 new products, advanced technology will be at the forefront of this year's show—in state-of-the-art machinery, trendsetting sessions, and even a new pavilion dedicated to 3D/Additive Manufacturing.

Q&A #2: How to Build a High-Performance Workforce

• Date: October 24, 2017
• Posted by:John Hindman, Director of Learning Services, Tooling U-SME

We recently posted Part #1 of this Q&A series about how to build a high-performance workforce using a competency-based training and development program. As we noted, world-class companies outperform others in large part because they manage and train their workforces differently.

So how do they do that? Today, we continue providing answers to frequently asked questions on that topic. What other questions do you have about building your skilled workforce…and your business?

Q&A: How to Build a High-Performance Workforce

• Date: October 18, 2017
• Posted by:John Hindman, Director of Learning Services, Tooling U-SME

From our many decades in the manufacturing industry, we can tell you that world-class companies outperform others in large part because they manage and train their workforces differently.

We get a lot of questions about how they do it. In a two-part blog series, we are sharing some of the frequently asked ones — along with answers. We hope this Q&A inspires you to build a high-performing workforce using a competency-based training and development program.

Knowledge Is Power – Wisdom Through Education

• Date: October 11, 2017
• Posted by:Larry Autry

Today, we welcome Larry Autry, Instructor at Tennessee College of Applied Technology – Ripley (TCAT-Ripley) one of the technical colleges that partners with Tooling U-SME to train the technology experts of the future.

As a technical college instructor from the small town of Ripley, Tennessee, my goal is to be able to train every student, taking them to the point where they can go out into the world and make a difference for themselves and their employers. Technology is rapidly changing, and my students need to have an edge to survive and compete.

SWAG Apprenticeship Model: A Collaborative Approach

• Date: October 02, 2017
• Posted by:Jeannine Kunz, Vice President, Tooling U-SME

At WESTEC recently, I heard a lot about workforce challenges, especially about the widening gap between people and technology. Yes, retiring baby boomers and lack of a pipeline are concerns, but changing technology is becoming the number one driver of the skills gap.

One growing solution is apprenticeship programs. But, as we discussed on the “Apprenticeship: A Collaborative Approach” panel that I moderated, they look very different than 50 years ago.

Combatting Consolidation: Tips to Ensure Maximum Cross-Selling Success

• Date: September 21, 2017
• Posted by:David Mack

When companies merge, they often tout an increased footprint and ability to drive product sales across a wider geography as a key advantage. This ability to cross-sell products and services allows the company to sell more, increase market share and minimize the competition.

In theory, the activity known as “cross selling” is a real benefit – unfortunately, when it comes to execution, companies often run into challenges. Executives have high expectations, but at the field level, there is no owner’s manual that directs how to seamlessly consolidate two sales operations.