#WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

New Thinking from the New Generation for the New Year

“We have to learn to think in a new way.” –Albert Einstein

The Value of Aligning Efforts to Promote Manufacturing Careers

Successfully building the next generation of manufacturers requires a team effort between employers, educators and parents. Each of these three groups has a tremendous impact on young people’s career decisions. Without the support of all three, we are unlikely to bridge the skilled labor shortage that threatens the future growth of our industry.

CNC Machine Shop Employment Positions to Consider Beyond Machine Operators

Many machine shops have open machine operator positions to fill. But does it make sense for shops to also seek automation engineers, IT managers and assembly personnel?

Strengthening Manufacturing Workplaces Through Active Listening

A good strategy to weather the storms of manufacturing market upheavals and unpredictable factors is to commit to continuous, active employee listening.

Shop Management Software

Global Shop Solutions to Host ERP User Conferences

The company is hosting two separate events — one onsite and one virtual — that will focus on core ERP features and functionality, as well as advanced use cases.

Emerging Leaders

Emerging Leader's Dedication to Education

Instilling confidence throughout a shop floor can do wonders for company morale while increasing productivity.

Emerging Leaders

Emerging Leader's Problem-Solving Skills Cool Down a Hot Project

This 2023 Emerging Leader developed a product in response to a call for help from Yamaha that was a huge hit in the snowmobile industry when it hit the market in 2010. In fact, it is now a common product that most snowmobile OEMs have implemented.

Emerging Leaders

2023 Emerging Leaders Strengthen Their Staffs, Solve Problems

Superb critical thinking, top-notch leadership skills and a passion for building a strong team are a few of the common traits held by this year’s five Production Machining Emerging Leader award winners.

Single & Multi-Spindles

Video Tech Brief: CNC Screw Machines a Solution for Overcoming Labor Shortages

CNC screw machines can exceed job shop productivity and enable manufacturers to overcome perpetual employment gaps.

Succession Planning: Three 15-Minute Activities to Start Preparing for Tomorrow

Succession planning is planning for the future success of your business.

Swiss-Types

6 Tips for Training on a Swiss-Type Lathe

There are nuances to training a person to effectively operate a Swiss-type lathe. A shop I visited a while back offers some suggestions.

Applying a Healthy Approach to Employee Investment

Service Center Metals’ on-site health center offers its employees and their families free same-day health care and, in return, the employer is gaining many benefits including a healthier workforce and attracting potential employees.

Index Develops Training Program for Junior Technicians

Although the current training class is made up of individuals pursuing a career change, Index plans to expand the ITDP later this year to include internships and apprenticeships for current high school students and recent graduates.

Star Cutter Awarded Workforce Development Funding for Employee Training

Three Star Cutter Co. subsidiaries received funding from the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity-Workforce Development (LEO-WD) through the Michigan Works! Agency to cover a wide range of training for its employees.

Educational Offerings at PMTS

Technical presentations and on-the-show-floor, booth demonstrations can lead you to discover new ideas to help your shop become more efficient and profitable.

Gift a 3D Printer to an Employee?

Some shops have purchased inexpensive polymer 3D printers for their operations. Does it make sense to take this a step further and give (or loan) a sharp young employee one to experiment with at home? This small investment could pay off for your shop in different ways.

Manufacturing Skills Training: Virginia Martinez and Laiken Carrillo

Roles of Women in Manufacturing Series: A precision machining career starts with skills. Virginia and Laiken share their journey and how they help prepare the next generation.

Training Is More Than a Skills Upgrade

Training is more than a skills upgrade. Training is a process that creates a virtuous cycle for your performers, culture and shop. Why do we train? Why do we need to train?

Software

Virtual Controller Service Helps Overcome Accounting Labor Shortage

The service aids companies that may be falling behind in their month-end closing and financial reporting due to a lack of qualified accounting professionals.

DMG MORI Partners With Illinois Tech to Open Chicago Training Center

The partners hope to play a critical role in preparing the workers needed to revive the advanced manufacturing industry in the U.S., including the semiconductor industry.

4 Tips for Building an Effective Machining Apprenticeship Program

Developing the right apprenticeship program can be one of the best things a machine shop can do for itself and for the future of manufacturing. Here are key “do’s” and “don’ts” to follow.

Craftsman Cribsheet No. 112: PMPA Speaking of Precision Podcasts — Business/Continuous Improvement/Workforce

PMPA’s Speaking of Precision podcasts can be found on major platforms or on PMPA.org.

Program Helps Shops Frame Training to Meet Their Needs

NIMS’ Smart Training Solutions is a framework for modernizing training to keep up with an ever-changing economy. It is flexible, accommodating and geared toward the needs of each individual organization.

Big Daishowa Incentive Supports Manufacturing Training Programs

Through the end of the year, Big Daishowa will donate a tooling certificate valued at 20% of every order from an NTMA member company to the buyer’s school of choice.