As I sit on the plane
flying back from the inaugural Close It Summit 2013, I find myself inspired by
the
number of people trying to make a difference for the common good in this
country. There is such a dramatic need for the next generation of manufacturing
employees and managers. It will take an army to create the excitement and a
buzz, for not only young people to pursue engineering and manufacturing related
career paths, but also the parents, mentors, influencers and guidance
counselors to encourage and allow them to do such. I see several ways to
accomplish this goal.
One is a comprehensive
marketing program FOR manufacturing. A concise perception game changer as you
may. I founded ChampionNow! for that
exact purpose. Change How Advanced Manufacturing's Perceived In Our Nation --
NOW! We need to put a positive spin on what people think to be a dark, dingy
and depressing career sector. Instead there lies a world full of high
technology, computerization and automation—one that desperately requires decision
makers, problem solvers, and the most innovative minds. Manufacturing
prominence needs a whole new persona. The general public needs to view it as
the valuable asset, i.e., rather than the liability that people perceive it to
be.
Two would be an
expansion of not only internship programs but also externship programs. Employers
need to become engaged at several levels. Everyone needs to do their part. Too
many influencers are not informed as to what manufacturing careers offer. The
supply and demand factor is allowing for higher wages and more opportunities.
We need to educate and inform the guidance counselors, teachers, and parents.
Three would be a rebirth
of programs that would be called apprenticeships and/or creative school models.
I have seen programs around the country that have unique methodologies to
accomplish a goal.
One is GPS in Wisconsin
and another is YearUp down south. These programs create school models directly
in the workplace. Students go to school in the morning, and go to a
manufacturing company in the afternoon where they meet as a collective group
for engineering and hands on instruction. Whether these are private or public
programs they ALL need to be supported and to succeed! In addition there are
MANY high schools that are embracing STEM and Project Lead the Way curriculum.
There needs to be more.
The single minded "go to a four year university" and AP class track
to success
needs to be just one of many chants in the hallways of high schools.
We need AP Engineering and AP Manufacturing tracks for young people to pursue.
Manufacturing today is not what it was long ago. Computerization and automation
is becoming more the norm, rather than a theory. These are highly challenging
positions that need innovative thinkers and problem solvers. Those that excel
in math and science and are good with their hands will lead.
Four is the need for the
opening of our manufacturing doors to show the country's next generation what
the reality is. With the re-shoring initiative bring production back to the
USA, we need more of the best and brightest to be ready to design and make
products. We just completed our second National Manufacturing Day. We need to
expand this to unprecedented levels of participation by manufacturing companies
across the USA.
If we can somehow ALL
get on the same bandwagon what an impact we could have! I offer a suggestion
that ChampionNow! be that chant. This is the message for the country to bring
manufacturing skilled workers back to the table. Each and every time I think
that I need to step away from the ChampionNow! table, some organization --
manufacturing leader or workforce board tells me this is THE marketing message
and solution for the USA. If I have my way the general public would know and
see this message in every possible venue from USA Today,WSJ, New York Times,
People magazine, to Sports Illustrated and more.
This article was written by Terry Iverson, president & CEO of Iverson & Company. It was published in the Huffington Post .
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