George R. Boggs, president and CEO of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), prepared a briefing paper for the White House Summit on Community Colleges, “Democracy’s Colleges: The Evolution of the Community College in America.”

Page 10 is headed, “A Skilled Workforce Is Key to Economic Recovery and Future Competitiveness.” Excerpt:

The current economic recession has underscored the essential role that community colleges play in preparing the nation’s workforce. As the economy faltered, community college enrollment surged by close to 17% nationwide between fall 2007 and fall 2009, comprising both new high school graduates seeking affordable entry into college and adult learners looking for training to allow them to keep their jobs or move into new careers. In communities where whole industries have been lose through plant closures, community colleges have focused on intensive customized services and classes for displaced workers. Colleges have developed partnerships and training alternative to help resuscitate their communities. The rise in student numbers, while shrinking revenues force state and local policymakers to reduce support colleges, presents a need for large and small colleges to do more with less. (continue reading…)

One bill that should definitely not be overlooked among the 85 measures on today’s House suspension calendar is H.R.4072, the AMERICA Works Act. In fact, this bill stands out for embracing an important approach toward training that offers opportunities both to manufacturers and manufacturing employees.

Each year the federal government invests billions of dollars in workforce training programs with a limited impact. This bill responds by giving priority to education and training funds that lead toward skills credentials that offer real value in the workplace for both workers and employers. The legislation also recognizes the need for a strong technical workforce in America and the value of industry-recognized, nationally portable credentials such as the NAM-Endorsed Manufacturing Skills Certification System developed by The Manufacturing Institute.

Employers rely on workers with the right skills to drive innovation, productivity and global competitiveness. As manufacturers continue to lead the economic recovery and job creation in the United States, they need a skilled workforce. The Manufacturing Skills Certification System provides new and transitioning workers a clear pathway to in-demand skills so they can prepare for good, high-paying jobs in manufacturing. We urge the House to pass this legislation and the Senate to act quickly on this important legislation.

More …

Introductory statement by Rep. Walter Minnick (D-ID), Nov. 18, 2009, “Minnick authors major job-training bill,” which included a statement of support from Emily DeRocco, NAM senior vice president and head of the Manufacturing Institute.

In tough economic times with high unemployment and the loss of jobs, it is difficult to focus on workforce-skills development. In reality, we have no better time. True economic reform means not only righting our economic ship, but also pursuing the strategies that will ensure we maintain our manufacturing competitiveness and provide the best possible pathways to employment in high-quality, middle-class jobs for all workers. We commend Congressman Minnick and his colleagues for introducing this bill, which will help ensure both new and transitioning workers have the education and skills necessary to succeed in the 21st century manufacturing economy.

Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich mentions  the National Association of Manufacturers in a blog post/column that’s been making the rounds, most recently in the Christian Science Monitor, “Two kinds of American corporations – and their politics.” His reference is weird.

Reich specializes in writing “big picture” sorts of columns, which, alas, tend to get the big picture wrong. Such is the case with this piece, which reflects no actual knowledge of the NAM’s extensive activities on education and training. Excerpt (our emphasis):

The problem is, more and more big companies are moving into the second category because that’s where the markets and the money are. Years ago groups like the Business Roundtable consisted mostly of large American corporations that were indubitably American, and took largely progressive positions on U.S. jobs and wages. I remember working with the National Association of Manufacturers on measures to improve U.S. education and job training. The American Electronics Association pushed the Reagan Administration for an industrial policy to preserve the nascent industrial base of U.S. computing.

No longer. Large American corporations are going global as fast as they can. That’s good for their shareholders. But in a Washington ever more susceptible to their money and influence, that’s not necessarily good for most Americans.

What’s the implication? That the NAM no longer cares about measures to improve U.S. education and job training? C’mon, Mr. Secretary. That’s ridiculous.

Today in Chicago, for example, NAM President John Engler spoke at the International Manfacturing Technology Show 2010.  In his keynote address, Engler stressed how important it was that the U.S. improve the quality of education for U.S. manufacturing — especially high-tech manufacturing — to succeed in the face of global competition. Education is a priority for the NAM.

Indeed, the Manufacturing Institute is the NAM’s 501(c) 3 affiliate that focuses on education and training through its National Center for the American Workforce. It’s headed by Emily DeRocco, the former Assistant Secretary of Labor.

(continue reading…)

Drew Greenblatt, president of Marlin Steel Wire Products and an NAM board member, talked about the economy, competitiveness, and the need for skilled employees in a segment Friday on the PBS Show, Nightly Business Report. From the transcript:

DARREN GERSH, NIGHTLY BUSINESS REPORT CORRESPONDENT: After what you just heard, you are going to find this hard to believe. There are employers out there who say they are having trouble finding good people to hire even in this economy. Employers like Drew Greenblatt at Marlin Steel Wire. How can you have high unemployment and you got good jobs going unfilled?

DREW GREENBLATT, PRESIDENT, MARLIN STEEL WIRE: We have a mismatch. We have people out there that are skilled and trained, let`s say, to work in a retail showroom or to work in a MacDonalds or a restaurant. They are not necessarily trained to be able to know what a radius is or to know how to read a tape measure or to know how to read a blueprint or know how to change a bearing, or a die set in a robot.

GERSH: You can see Marlin Steel Wire`s challenge right here — 51 minutes. That`s how much longer this machine will run before it shuts down and has to be set up again. Now the operator who set up this machine has already gone home for the night. His shift is over. If they could find somebody else to come in and set up this machine, it could run all night long. Greenblatt says he is even having some trouble finding a bookkeeper. After getting more than 250 resumes, he found just four candidates who know manufacturing and job costing. One toured the floor while we visited. And, yes, Greenblatt is offering more money — 20 percent more — to find the right person.

GREENBLATT: So we thought it was going to be really easy to fill this position. So we`re actually surprised about how much of a challenge it`s been for us.

Also discussing workplace skills in the segment was Jerry Jasinowski, former president of the National Association of Manufacturers and current member of the Manufacturing Institute’s board of trustees.

Video of the program is here, and kudos to PBS and the Nightly Business Report for its speedy transcriptions.

Two reports this week drawing attention:

• From the National Association of Manufacturers, “Labor Day 2010: The Impact of Anti-Labor Policies on Working Men and Women“
• From Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute, “Public View on Manufacturing: 2010 Annual Index“

Coverage…

• The Hill, “Uncertainty of Bush tax cuts affects hiring, study states“
• Grand Rapids Press (blog), “Uncertainty over Bush tax cut extension affects hiring, study states“
• Reuters, “Few Americans See Manufacturing as a Career: Survey“

The Manufacturing Institute, in partnership with Deloitte, today published the 2nd annual survey of the American public’s opinions on the manufacturing industry and its future. View the press release here. The 2010 Public Viewpoint on Manufacturing survey reveals that Americans have a strong, positive view of the significance of manufacturing in the United States, but lack faith in the government policies that will keep it strong in the future. The 55 percent of respondents who think the long-term outlook for manufacturing is weaker than today – compared to the 78 percent who see manufacturing as vital to the country’s economic prosperity – may explain why Americans are not encouraged to go into manufacturing.

There is no denying, however, that Americans want to see the U.S. as the world’s greatest manufacturer, and the 18.6 million jobs supported by manufacturing stay here on American soil. They believe that U.S. workers have what it takes to compete, identifying the attributes of a workforce, including work ethic, skills, and productivity, as the top three most important components that could contribute to creating competitive advantage.

However, as companies still report skills shortages in production workers, scientists, and engineers, U.S. manufacturing is at a tipping point. Unless we deploy policies and programs, such as the Manufacturing Skills Certification System to attract, educate and credential our talent pool, American manufacturers will lose our competitive advantage. For more information, contact jwilkins@nam.org or 202-637-3493.

Big news in North Carolina last week, with Caterpillar Inc. announcing construction of a new manufacturing and assembly facility in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to serve the company’s growing global mining operations. The new operation will center on an approximately 850,000 square foot state-of-the-art manufacturing facility for machining, assembly, test and painting of axle assemblies for large mining machines. Five-hundred direct jobs could result.

From the release, “Caterpillar Continues Expansion of Mining Operations; Announces New Facility in North Carolina“:

“Caterpillar has worked hard with many local partners in North Carolina, and we thank them for their assistance during the site selection process,” said Hans Haefeli, Vice President of Caterpillar’s Advanced Components & Systems Division. “We look forward to establishing our new lower powertrain facility in Winston-Salem, which will allow us to substantially increase our capacity, improve process capability, flexibility and flow of our operations. This location will improve our supply chain efficiency and, as a result, allows us to better serve our customers more effectively while reducing operating costs.”

We appreciated the coverage of The Winston-Salem Journal. Its story, “FTCC’s offering helped attract Cat,” highlighted the role of Forsyth Technical Community College and President Gary Green in ensuring Caterpillar of the availability of high-quality workforce training. And, the Manufacturing Institute merits kudos, too.

Caterpillar may also have been swayed by Forsyth Tech’s involvement in the Manufacturing Institute, a nonprofit affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers that is backed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Forsyth Tech is one of four community colleges in the country participating in the pilot program, which gives students a chance to learn skills in the classroom while acquiring certifications that are recognized by industry. The goal is to better prepare entry-level workers. Students in such areas as welding and machine technology will be eligible for those added credentials. They will have some of the skills that will be needed at the Caterpillar plant, which will produce axle assemblies for its big mining machines.

For more information about the NAM-Endorsed Manufacturing Skills Certification System, go to www.manufacturingskills.org. Coverage…

• Winston-Salem Journal, “‘Jobs you can count on’“
• Winston-Salem Journal, “We’re CAT people“
• The Herald, “Caterpillar to build NC plant“
• The State (S.C.), “Caterpillar picks NC over SC“
• Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area, “$426M Caterpillar plant may yield 500 jobs”
  

The Albany Times-Union newspaper in New York reports on the keynote speech by Emily DeRocco at the Center for Economic Growth’s 14th annual Technology Awards luncheon Wednesday. From “High-end products key to future“:

“In Washington, we see this region as wrapped in manufacturing, not just technology,” said DeRocco, the president of the Manufacturing Institute in Washington. She heads the research and education affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers.
DeRocco said she was most impressed that the Albany area has focused its efforts on attracting “advanced manufacturing” such as the semiconductor industry, since much of the lower-end manufacturing such as appliances and electronic devices in the world has leapt to Asia over the past several decades.

But the United States can regain its manufacturing edge focusing on high-end production, she said Wednesday.

“This focus on value and quality has kept the U.S. producing about 22 percent of goods worldwide,” DeRocco said. “This move up the value chain makes manufacturing just as important as it has been.”

The Troy Record also covered the luncheon, leading with the local news, “Wacholder among awardees at Economic Growth event,” Michael Wachholder being the first director of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s business incubator program.

Congratulations to all the winners, listed in the extended entry below: (continue reading…)

From the University of Phoenix, “University of Phoenix Teams With The Manufacturing Institute to Educate Workforce to Meet the Challenges of the 21st Century“:

PHOENIX, March 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Today, University of Phoenix announced an innovative partnership with The Manufacturing Institute (“Institute”), the non-profit, non-partisan education and research affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). Through this educational alliance, University of Phoenix will develop curriculum relevant to today’s manufacturing workforce that aligns to the NAM-Endorsed Manufacturing Skills Certification System (SCS). SCS describes the competencies, certifications and educational attainment levels appropriate to manufacturing careers…[snip]

University of Phoenix will offer programs that enable working learners to advance in their careers while acquiring the skills and competencies in the SCS, which were developed by the Institute and endorsed by NAM. These programs are being specifically developed with the working learner in mind, giving students greater access and flexibility to obtain advanced degrees in a convenient manner. With a greater emphasis on strategic planning and new technologies, the curriculum also ensures that the manufacturing sector stays current and competitive in a global market.

“This unique alliance will provide an education with real-world relevancy that meets the needs for high-tech manufacturing – graduates will gain the knowledge and skills most needed in the manufacturing industry, both today and tomorrow,” said Dr. Brian Lindquist, Dean, University of Phoenix School of Business.

Also, Phoenix Business Journal, “University of Phoenix, Manufacturing Institute launch program.”

From a news release, “MSSC Certification – A Win-Win for Manufacturing Employers, Employees“:

COLUMBUS, Ind., March 5 /PRNewswire/ — Several leading Southeast Indiana advanced manufacturing and distribution/logistics companies endorse the nationally recognized workforce credentials from the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC – http://www.msscusa.org) for those workers that will be hired as the economy recovers.

These innovative companies recognize they will require a pipeline of highly skilled workers in order to compete globally. They identify the three MSSC nationally recognized certifications as key building blocks in the development of that skilled workforce. Those nationally portable certifications are: the Certified Production Technician (CPT), the Certified Logistics Associate (CLA), and the Certified Logistics Technician (CLT).

Cummins Inc., one of the area’s largest employers, is among the first companies to endorse this training and certification program.

“Cummins greatly values the knowledge and skills acquired by students using the MSSC curriculum,” said Mark Gerstle, Vice President of Corporate Quality and Chief Risk Officer at Cummins Inc. “When recruiting in southern Indiana to fill open production positions, we will actively seek candidates with MSSC CPT certification.”

Other companies embracing the approach are Grote Industries, Arvin Sango, Madison Precision Products and Royer Corp., all in Madison; Dicksons in Seymour; Lowe’s Distribution Center in North Vernon; Aisin USA in Seymour and Aisin Drivetrain in Crothersville. Ivy Tech Community College and several high schools will offer the MSSC training and certification assessment.

MSSC is recognized by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) as the foundational cornerstone of its comprehensive National Skills Certification System. Last year the NAM affiliate, the Manufacturing Institute, received a $1.5-million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to plan and implement postsecondary education programs that include the Manufacturing Skills Certification System.

So the work is paying off.