In remarks planned for Forsyth Technical Community College in Winston-Salem, N.D., today, President Obama is expected to embrace a political deal: If Congressional Republicans will agree to extend unemployment compensation, then the White House will support extending all the current tax rates for several years. That’s big news, but we hope it doesn’t overshadow all the good work that Forsyth Tech is doing in the area of skills training. To wit:

Forsyth Tech is one of four colleges in the United States selected by the Manufacturing Institute to participate in the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)-Endorsed Skills Certification System. NAM is the nation’s oldest and largest broad-based industrial trade association and represents 14,000 companies in every industrial sector. 

Through the NAM-Endorsed Skills Certification System, Forsyth Tech offers nationally recognized credentials to students enrolled in these advanced manufacturing credit programs: Machining Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Welding, and Industrial Systems Technology. Acquiring these credentials will increase the students’ workforce opportunities and help improve the hiring process for them. These credentials are offered at no additional cost.

President Obama will tour two biotech classrooms, which reminds us of this further cooperation between Forsyth Tech and the Manufacturing Institute:

WASHINGTON, D.C.- The Washington-based Manufacturing Institute (the Institute) and the National Center for the Biotechnology Workforce (NCBW) at Forsyth Technical Community College in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, announced a formal alliance today to jointly develop a highly-skilled and educated 21st century biotechnology and pharmaceutical production workforce. (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.

Reuters essays a “Special Report” on manufacturing in the United States — it looks like a package intended for the Sunday papers — and it’s a thorough, serious effort to assess the strengths, weaknesses and challenges facing businesses and workers.

Included in the piece is a discussion of education and training to improve the skills of manufacturing workers, using as an example the efforts of the National Association of Manufacturers and Lorain County Community College outside of Cleveland. The college is a leader in implementing the NAM’s Manufacturing Skills Certification System, and not surprisingly, LCCC has record enrollment this term.

The reporters also provide useful government and political context on the issue of infrastructure and infrastructure spending. President Obama recently reasserted his interest in infrastructure spending, but there is skepticism. Excerpt:

Manufacturing executives like Ron DeFeo, who runs Terex Corp, and labor union chiefs like Bob King, the new head of the UAW, rarely see eye to eye. But ask them to assess the federal government’s response to the unemployment crisis, and their responses are remarkably consistent — and not just in the critical tone they take.

Both fault lawmakers, including President Obama, for failing to make job creation the No. 1 priority over the past two years and insist Washington, D.C. could have put millions of construction and manufacturing workers back to work by funneling more money into infrastructure improvements.

In early September, Obama belatedly signaled his support for some added infrastructure investment along the lines that DeFeo has urged and King has marched for. But his proposal, outlined in a Labor Day speech in Milwaukee, falls short of what even leading members of his own party have advocated.

A credible report, well worth reading, “Blue-collar, unemployed and seeing red.” The entire pacakage, with photos, videos, charts and the like is available here as a .pdf file.

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…)

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.

Ramesh Ponnuru, a National Review editor, tries to be provocative in a Time magazine piece, “The Case Against College Education.” Most readers may indeed be unfamiliar with the arguments that, for many students, the value of attending a four-year college is oversold.

But manufacturers and community colleges and workforce exports have long known this to be the case. And there are credible, excellent alternatives to a four-year baccalaureate (or starting at a college and then dropping out). As Ponnuru writes: