18 MiMfg Magazine December 2020
In Escanaba , Engineered Machined Products , the 2001 Michigan Manufacturer of the Year , focuses on cultivating local talent through area high schools by sponsoring First Robotics .
“ We support the teams financially , as well as through hands-on time with our engineers ,” explains Vice President Paul Harvey . “ We , in turn , are able to identify kids with the critical thinking and problem-solving skills that we want in an employee . When we find a student that wants to pursue engineering in college , we continue to support them through internships and scholarships .”
“ Once upon a time , manufacturing was viewed as a great place to get a job after high school . We need to get that distinction back .
— Laura Preuss • DeWys Manufacturing
Humphrey Products , a corporate fixture in the Kalamazoo area , has been nurturing the seeds of workforce development for most of their nearly 120-year history . “ We believe that education is the best way to address equity , poverty and lack of hope in our communities ,” says Humphrey President Dave Maurer . “ Our best source of skilled labor has been employing co-op students through the local career and technical education programs . It ’ s an opportunity to introduce machining to kids with good engineering minds . Then they can use our tuition reimbursement program for further learning .”
All this said , it ’ s important to remember that local schools and technical training programs also need our help and support to strengthen their organizations .
Getting practical experience through technology and real equipment is a key feature for all skilled trade programs at Grand Rapids Community College .
A student in a skilled trade program at Saginaw ISD uses light-table technology to practice valuable skills .
Bill Henderson , President of Aircraft Precision Products Inc . ( APPI ) in Ithaca and chairman of the MMA Board of Directors , offers a great example .
As an active member of the Central Michigan Manufacturers Association , he and others recently helped get a career technical education millage passed to help support Mid-Michigan facilities . He ’ s also been involved in the PRIME ® program in partnership with MMA ( see page 20 for related story ) to help bring additional resources to area technical programs .
“ We have quite a partnership going ,” says Henderson , “ Bringing educators and manufacturers together and getting them to speak the same language helps a lot .”
Learn more about Bill Henderson and Aircraft Precision Products Inc . in the MMA Industry Member Spotlight beginning on page 24 .
Boosting Skilled Labor through In-house Training and Upskilling
Of course , no matter how much you collaborate with area schools and regional technical facilities , you must be dedicated to your own training and career pathing .
Co-op programs , internships , apprenticeships , journeyman programs , stackable certifications and credentials , as well as special training on the latest robotic and CNC machines , are all an intrinsic part of today ’ s manufacturing scene .
In fact , when we caught up with Paul Myles , Senior Manager Government Workforce Development and Training Programs at Magna International , he was buried in Going PRO Talent Fund applications . The program makes awards to employers to assist in training , developing and retaining current and new employees .
“ Our business is moving at internet speed ,” says Myles . “ Addressing skills gaps in our people is a top priority and an ongoing challenge .”