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MiMfg Magazine May 2017
Can’t Find Talent?
By Michelle Knierim • Educational Data Systems Inc.
The struggle to find talent is
especially a challenge in Michigan. This
is because of the high number of
technical and skilled trade’s jobs
available. To address some of the issues
in finding qualified skilled workers,
businesses are turning to three key
solutions. These solutions provide ways
for businesses to build customized
programs that speak directly to the
training needs of their current and
newly hired workers.
Here are three key solutions to grow
your own talent.
1. Customized training are developed
based on the specific needs of your
organization, keeping in mind the
unique requirements of employees.
For a successful implementation,
there needs to be a proven process
that utilizes a system that surveys
individual skills and identifies
the skill needs of employers. One
of the main goals is to minimize
the time and cost needed to
identify and bridge the skill and
knowledge gaps within an organi-
zation. By incorporating your
company’s processes and proce-
dures into the training, it will
increase employee satisfaction,
reduce turnover, and improve your
overall efficiency and productivity.
“
2. Apprenticeship programs are 1-6
year instructional programs
designed to develop highly-skilled
employees. These programs consist
of both on-the-job training under
the supervision of a journey level
craftsperson or trade professional
and academic instruction. If you
want to have a registered appren-
ticeship there are a few require-
ments that must be met before it is
approved by a union and the
Department of Labor. Often,
organizations partner with compa-
nies who provide technical expertise
and turnkey development, adminis-
tration and management services
for the entire apprenticeship.
Organizations also work with
companies and educators to
validate existing curriculum and
To address some of the issues in
finding qualified skilled workers,
businesses are turning to
three key solutions...to build
customized programs that
speak directly to the training
needs of their current and
newly hired workers.
”
develop new curriculum in order to
meet the requirements of the
program and national training
standards.
3. On-the-Job Training, also known
as OJT, involves the teaching of
skills, knowledge and competencies
needed to perform a specific job at
a workplace. Utilizing an employ-
er’s existing workplace tools,
equipment, processes and docu-
mentation, the employee is able to
gain the skills and knowledge to
effectively and efficiently perform
his or her job. There are many
organizations that have funds
available to offset this cost includ-
ing local workforce development
boards. For example, companies
that utilize On-the-Job Training
and candidates from workforce
development boards are often
reimbursed for up to 50% of an
employee’s salary.
All of these programs offer great
solutions to organizations looking to
upskill their current employee’s skills, or
to provide specialized training to get
new employees or potential hires up to
speed quickly. There are currently a lot
of different local government funds
available for companies to utilize to
offset costs associated with hiring talent.
Employers can work with local colleges,
workforce development boards, and other
organizations that have a training budget,
grants or other funds available.
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Michelle Knierim is Associate
Consultant for Educational Data
Systems Inc. (EDSI). She can be
reached at 313-271-2660 or
[email protected].
Get More!
Learn about MMA’s local customized
talent solution, the PRIME® program,
see page 6 or call 517-487-8552 for
more information.