Managing Automation - August 2008 - (Page 40)

T R A I N I N G & E D U C AT I O N needs to be connected between the Departments of Labor and Education, state and local government, and the schools,” he says. “Right now, I don’t believe that that coordination is happening as well as it could.” The good news is some of these efforts are already under way. Wagner points to programs such as Project Lead the Way, a national, not-for-profit educational program for middle and high school students that emphasizes pre-engineering skills, and Skills USA, which helps to engage kids in construction, manufacturing, and skilled trades. Another program, the Arts Education Partnership, integrates art concepts into a regular K-12 curriculum “so that kids understand how everything really works together,” Wagner says, “the hope being that when these students graduate, they’ll be more innovative and more creative, and able to tie that to things like manufacturing — how we make the next new product.” START EARLY Nearly all the people interviewed for this article stress the need for schools to expose students to technical programs at an early age. “The first thing that the new president’s administration will have to focus on is supporting the need for math and science skills starting at the kindergarten level,” Tomlinson says. “If kids aren’t excited about math and science by the time they’re in their second year of middle school, they will start focusing on non-technical, non-engineering-related curriculums.” Tomlinson also sees the need for governmental support of teacher training for programs such as the SME’s Gateway Academies, which are summer day camp-type programs that promote the use of math and science in manufacturing. While industry has begun to work directly with labor unions to redefine the list of skills that workers will need going forward and to raise the funds needed to supply the necessary training, government can help by facilitating the connection between the groups. Wagner pointed to the example set by Pennsylvania’s governor, Ed Rendell, who has dedicated funds to developing such industry-led partnerships. Ten other states are working toward that sort of collaboration, she said. States also require long-term support for continuing education programs. Wagner mentioned Washington State’s I-BEST Program, which brings people who are in the workforce back into school to sharpen their skills to equip them to work at higher-level manufacturing positions and other jobs. A similar program consists of a partnership between manufacturing training provider Tooling U and The Ohio State University (OSU). For every seven Tooling U classes a student completes, for example, OSU’s Center for Corporate and Community Education will award one continuing education credit at a minimal cost. Specific training areas include mill/lathe operators, press operators, assemblers, and maintenance professionals. Continuing education is also required at the highly skilled level, some say. “Many of our engineers move into management where their engineering skills lag behind and, after a while, many become obsolete,” Kreiner says. “Efforts must be made to continually enhance the cutting-edge knowledge of engineers. The government can provide help in organizing classes as well as by providing tax incentives for engineers to pursue continuing education and learn the latest techniques.” Manufacturers and industry groups often work directly with educators to create those types of programs, which companies such as Wagner’s then try to get on the government’s radar screen to attract the necessary “[Students] drop out of the school system because it’s not tapping into their creativity or their needs.” — Maureen Steinwall support and funding. Accordingly, she says, “We try and change educational systems first within the states, then try to take that change to a federal level.” Many school systems, meanwhile, often lack the appropriate internal tools to support kids who are naturally interested in pursuing trades. As one manufacturing project manager at a U.S.-based construction and agricultural equipment manufacturer points out, many students who don’t plan to go to college are often overlooked. “Schools seem to do one of two things — offer the opportunity to become college bound or simply get kids graduated, and then it’s up to them to figure out what to do,” the manu- ma 40 2008 August Photo courtesy: Steinwall Inc.

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Managing Automation - August 2008 Contents Take 1 After 18 Months, the Oracle/SAP Suit Has Little Effect on Maintenance Sales At 100, Foxboro Reinvents Around Its Customers New Private Equity Firm Eyes Software A Software Suite Just for Manufacturers i2 Chief Focuses on Services Plan Notes It's Time for Action Examining U.S. Competitveness Leveling the Field An Unhealthy Situation Exploring Alternatives Math and Science: Key to the Future Product Scan Advertiser Index Next

Managing Automation - August 2008

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