Hello Corporate Partners,
Last week, I attended the Manufacturing Institute’s (MI), the workforce development and education partner of the National Association of Manufacturers, third annual Workforce Summit. The conference focused on elevating local and national talent solutions to address key workforce development challenges and provided attendees with opportunities to explore community partnership models in action for workforce challenges. There were great conversations and solutions offered, and I would strongly encourage you to have someone from your human resources/talent acquisition team consider attending next year.
One foundational element of ICPF’s Strategic Road Map (see attached) is evaluating partnership opportunities with existing national programs. The Manufacturing Institute is a great place to get connected with, offering a multitude of resources and solutions to manufacturing workforce needs. I would again like to highlight some programs and opportunities discussed at the Summit which may be helpful for your company as you work to find solutions to your hiring needs.
- FAME Program
The Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) is an advanced manufacturing workforce education and development run by the Manufacturing Institute with locations in 12 states. FAME provides global-best workforce development through strong technical training, integration of manufacturing core competencies, intensive professional practices and hands-on experience to build the future of the modern manufacturing industry. The Advanced Manufacturing Technician (AMT) program administered under the FAME model leverages a work/learn framework to weave technical knowledge, professional behaviors and distinct manufacturing core exercises into a focused co-op experience to build global-best, entry-level, multiskilled maintenance technicians.
The FAME model facilitates employer-led partnerships between your company and local educational institutions and establishes a channel for recruiting diverse, high-achieving and career-oriented students. Once established, the cooperative of local employers that make up the FAME Chapter will generate a continuous pipeline of skilled technicians through the AMT program.
ICPF is aware of industry companies that are already excited about and taking advantage of this program. You can join a local chapter or start your own if there isn’t one already in your area. To learn more about FAME or get started today, click here. - Heroes MAKE America Program
The Manufacturing Institute’s Heroes MAKE America program provides integrated certification and career-readiness training in partnership with local community colleges to prepare transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard members, reservists and military spouses for rewarding careers in manufacturing. With backgrounds that often include significant experience in advanced technology, former service members are ideal candidates for manufacturing careers and poised to be natural leaders in the manufacturing industry. For more information on this program, click here. - Women MAKE America Initiative
Women MAKE America is the nation’s marquee program to close the gender gap in manufacturing. WMA works to foster a 21st-century manufacturing workforce by empowering and inspiring women in the manufacturing industry through recognition, research and leadership, as well as by motivating alumnae to pay it forward by mentoring the next generation. The goal is to shrink the gender gap and increase innovation by building networks and developing skills for women in the industry and to identify and elevate the role models who can inspire the next generation. For more information on this initiative, click here. - Innovative Work Schedules (with an emphasis on flexibility)
Some manufacturers spoke of innovating to offer part-time flexible work schedules in addition to full-time positions. By creating 4-hour work blocks requiring a minimum 16 hours/week, these companies expanded their candidate pool and filled gaps at location pain points. The flex workers frequently convert to full-time employees, and the flex schedule has provided phased retirement options previously unavailable. Click here to read an MI white paper, Flexibility Approaches for Manufacturing Production Workers, to learn what solutions manufacturers have tested and implemented. - Building Company Culture through Employee Value Propositions and Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
The Summit spent a lot of time reiterating the importance of company culture to retain employees. Creating an employee value proposition and putting more empathy back into policies can lead to safer workplaces and lower turnover rates. Transparency, clear career pathways and celebrating milestones were all highlighted as effective strategies to build a strong company culture in the eyes of employees. Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) alsoprovide a great opportunity for informal leadership and mentorship training to help with worker retention. - Explore community partnership models in action to address workforce challenges
By creating internship and apprenticeship programs, sitting on workforce development boards, doing philanthropic work, and connecting with local schools of all levels, you can create career pathway partnerships. You can also leverage your ERGs to build some of these connections.
To support and promote your company’s efforts, ICPF has curated an array of recruitment and retention resources available for free at www.careersincorrugated.com. I’m also going to investigate hosting a joint ICPF/MI webinar to provide more information on MI programs and how you can get started. Look for more information coming soon.
The Summit again reinforced the message that workforce development is a local challenge with local solutions. There are a lot of opportunities for you to engage within your community to find potential employees. For example, take advantage of MFG Day next year and invite students into your plant(s). And remember, ICPF is here to help every step of the way. Thanks for your continued support. ICPF will continue to inform you of potential partnerships that can provide solutions to your workforce needs.
Thanks,
Caitlin Salaverria
ICPF President