Tooling U-SME Blog

Looking Back at Tooling U-SME’s Progress in 2018

Date: December 11, 2018
Posted by:Jeannine Kunz, Vice President, Tooling U-SME

As I look back on 2018, I’m proud of the progress we’ve made. From new partnerships to product launches, we introduced initiatives and secured programs that will positively impact the training and development of the incumbent and next-generation manufacturing workforce – now and in the future. Read More.

Becoming the Best of the Best

Date: December 06, 2018
Posted by:Jeannine Kunz, Vice President, Tooling U-SME

The players in the top 10 are consistent high performers such as Apple, Amazon.com, Microsoft, Johnson & Johnson, and Procter & Gamble. Companies are evaluated in five categories: innovation, financial strength, social responsibility, employment engagement and development, and customer satisfaction.

The Journal found that the top 50 companies distinguished themselves from the rest of the organizations on the list by consistently ranking above the others in each of the five evaluation areas. Read More.

Job Seekers and Employers Benefit From Community Training Programs

Date: December 04, 2018
Posted by:John Hindman, Director of Learning Services, Tooling U-SME

Tooling U-SME’s Industry Pulse: 2018 Workforce Manufacturing Report shows that despite feeling the impact of the workforce shortage, many manufacturers aren’t taking the necessary steps to combat the skills gap. Yet, many are, and these innovative manufacturers are reaching out to their local communities for support. Read More.

That Next Generation: Achieving Results, Retention and Reasonable Expectations

Date: November 29, 2018
Posted by:Denise Ball, Regional Client Executive and Workforce Development Specialist, Tooling U-SME

Everyone’s talking about the manufacturing skills gap, and many are saying: “There are not enough skilled trained workers.” “My workforce bench is retiring and taking their knowledge with them.” “I don’t have the resources or patience to deal with training this new generation!”

Let’s face it, the problems are not going away. One solution is to change the way manufacturers are thinking about the future and about the generation that can help them pave the way to success. Read More.

Industry-Education Partnerships Help Solve the Manufacturing Skills Gap

Date: November 13, 2018
Posted by:Jeannine Kunz, Vice President, Tooling U-SME

Emerging technologies and partnerships were the overarching theme at this year’s National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers’ (NCATC) recent 30 ^th-anniversary conference. Smart Manufacturing, Industry 4.0 and work-based learning were catalysts for discussions about training a new generation, bringing trainers up-to-speed with new technology and providing manufacturers with flexible solutions for workforce education. Read More.

A journey of personal continuous improvement through Lean Certification

Date: November 06, 2018
Posted by:Chad Vincent, Director of Lean Manufacturing, American Railcar Industries

Chad Vincent is the director of lean manufacturing for American Railcar Industries (ARI) in Saint Charles, Missouri, where he leads the Lean Enterprise Program for the organization. He is a Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE), Certified Manager of Quality/Operational Excellence (CMQ/OE), Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB), and is Lean Bronze Certified (LBC), Lean Silver Certified (LSC) and Lean Gold Certified (LGC). In this guest blog post, he reflects on his personal lean journey. Read More.

Community Programs and Online Learning Provide Solutions for Skills Gap

Date: October 30, 2018
Posted by:John Hindman, Director of Learning Services, Tooling U-SME

The manufacturing skills gap affects companies of all sizes, in all industries, in all parts of the country. Up to 2 million manufacturing jobs remain unfilled – and for small- and medium-sized companies in remote areas, filling the workforce pipeline can be a considerable challenge.

In the recently released Industry Pulse: 2018 Manufacturing Report, Tooling U-SME found that many actions companies can take to develop and retain employees are within their control, yet the majority are not taking these steps. Read More.

Strike the Right Balance: Boost Training Without Sacrificing Production

Date: October 23, 2018
Posted by:John Hindman, Director of Learning Services, Tooling U-SME

For years, the “the skills gap” has been threatening to slow growth in the manufacturing industry. At IMTS last month, Tooling U-SME released the Industry Pulse: 2018 Manufacturing Workforce Report which shows that despite repeated warnings, still little has been done when it comes to combatting the dangers of retirements, a decreased talent pipeline and the need for new, advanced technology skills. In fact, only two out of five companies (41%) agree that their company trains people to develop the right skills. Read More.

Model for Career Tech High School Provides Career and College Pathways

Date: October 16, 2018
Posted by:John Green, Instructor, Lorain County Joint Vocational School (JVS)

John Green, a precision machine technology instructor from Lorain County Joint Vocational School (JVS) in Oberlin, Ohio, shares how he and his team are encouraging students looking for career tech experience to explore career paths and enroll in one of the Lorain County JVS technical programs. Read how students gain skills while earning a diploma from their associate high schools, while businesses in the community support the graduates with job placement in various careers. Read More.

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.