Precision Machining and Fabrication Leader
Precision machining and fabrication leader reduces turnover, increases quality with Tooling U-SME
“Remote location is no barrier to building our workforce pipeline.”
- Employee Development Coordinator
Challenge
- Needing nationally recognized credentials to receive grant funding and facilitate an apprenticeship program
- Becoming a focal point for apprenticeships, replacing time-based model with competency-based model
- Attracting area students who don’t have the opportunity or initiative to attend community college
- Accommodating PTM’s specific needs for Related Training Instruction (RTI) and On-the-Job
- Training (OJT)
Solution
- Chose National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) at onset as a credentialing process
- With assistance from the State of Minnesota, acquired a dualfunding pipeline grant for just over $100,000—paving the way for PTM to use Tooling U-SME’s industry-driven education
- Worked with Tooling U-SME to build apprenticeship framework
- Gained a $150,000 grant from the Minnesota Apprenticeship Initiative
- Became systematic and methodical in engaging training, as well as in monitoring and administering it
- Found area partners who were willing to collaborate
Results
- Reduced quality defects
- Decreased employee turnover by half
- Attained credibility through pipeline grant and industrydriven education
- Received a total of $500,000 in grant support from several sources spanning 2016 - 2020
- Created 16 registered apprenticeships; expect to add more with the help of Tooling U-SME