Tech Directions - January 2008 - (Page 9)

mentoring programs and teach students across the country about career and personal success.” Nationally, the skilled worker shortage is reflected in the 2005 Skills Gap Report commissioned by the NAM and its Manufacturing Institute. The gap will increase with the retirement of the Baby Boom generation and rapidly advancing workplace technology. Among the findings of the 2005 Skills Gap Survey of manufacturers nationwide: ● Skills shortages are having a widespread impact on manufacturers’ abilities to achieve production levels, increase productivity, and meet customer demands. ● More than 80 percent of respondents indicated that they are experiencing a shortage of qualified workers overall. ● Nearly half of all respondents indicated their current employees have inadequate basic employability skills such as attendance and work ethic. SkillsUSA works with more than 285,000 students and teachers in over 5,000 affiliated schools and colleges, including nearly all career and technical centers nationwide. “Only a handful of organizations is positioned to positively affect America’s future skilled workforce. SkillsUSA is one of them. We are proud to partner with SkillsUSA to prepare the next generation of manufacturing entrepreneurs and leaders,” said Phyllis Eisen, Senior Vice President, The Manufacturing Institute, at the announcement ceremony today. Tech Directions Editorial Advisory Board); and Patrick McDonald (Region IV Director), technology lab facilitator/classroom teacher, Bingham High School, South Jordan, UT. Also joining the ITEA board is Jared Berrett, technology and engineering teacher, San Juan High School, Blanding UT. Barrett will represent the Technology Education for Children Council. Congratulations to ITEA’s new board members! ITEA Election Results The International Technology Education Association (ITEA) has announced the results of balloting to elect a new president-elect and directors for Regions II and IV. Joining the association’s Board of Directors are: Ed Denton (President Elect), director of technology, Neshaminy School District, Langhorne, PA; Michael A. Fitzgerald (Region II Director), technology education specialist, Office of Career and Technical Education, Indiana Department of Education (and member of the Events Jan. 28-30. Center on Education and Work Career Conference. Madison, WI. www.cew.wisc.edu. Feb. 21-23. International Technology Education Association Annual Conference. Salt Lake City, UT. www.iteaconnect.org. Mar. 16-19. HVAC Excellence Educators and Trainers Conference. Las Vegas, NV. www.hvacexcellence.org. Mar. 27-30. National Science Teachers Association National Conference. Boston, MA. www.nsta.org/ conferences. www.techdirections.com NEWS REPORT 9 http://www.cew.wisc.edu http://www.iteaconnect.org http://www.hvacexcellence.org http://www.nsta.org/conferences http://www.nsta.org/conferences http://www.ljcreate.com http://www.studica.com/netop http://www.studica.com/netop http://www.ljcreate.com http://www.techdirections.com

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Tech Directions - January 2008

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