Product category:
Manufacturing exhibitions
News Release from: Fabricators and Manufacturers Association Intl
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 15 June 2007
US fabrication show highlights skills
shortage
US manufacturers have integrated advanced technologies into many production processes to remain competitive, but growing skills shortages is a problem and will be discussed at the FABTECH exhibition.
Can American manufacturing continue to survive in a global market? With a declining workforce and hit hard by recession in 2000, US manufacturers have integrated advanced technologies into many production processes in an effort to remain competitive This transformation has indeed increased production, but it has also created a demand for a technologically advanced workforce that is difficult to find
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 23 Oct 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
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* Lack of skilled workers - not only is manufacturing facing a lack of employees but its need is for highly skilled employees with the expertise required to work in the advanced manufacturing environment of today.
Many production systems have incorporated the use of computers, programmable motion control devices, robotics, and various sensing technologies.
Workers must be able to work with these new technologies.
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Other factors have contributed to the shortage of skilled workers in American manufacturing.
The current US educational system does not promote or train students for careers in manufacturing to the same degree as in the past.
There is the impending retirement of the large 'baby boomer' generation (people born shortly after World War II - Ed), and the lack of interest in manufacturing by today's youth.
Finally there's the outdated public image of manufacturing as being 'low paying' and 'dirty'.
Without an influx of skilled younger employees, who will make up the 'made in America' workforce? * Manufacturing is here to stay - manufacturing is still a viable part of US economics.
According to the US Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration the manufacturing sector continues to account for 14% of US Gross Domestic Product and 11% of the US employment.
In addition, according to the US Department of Commerce, manufacturing firms fund 60% of over US$193 billion that the US private sector invests annually in research and development.
* Strategies to solve the workforce shortage - the High Growth Job Training Initiative of the federal US government states that it takes partnerships which include government, economic leaders, business and industry, and educators to work together to develop the solutions needed to address the labor shortages facing manufacturing.
The FABTECH International and AWS Welding Show will bring together key representatives from our nation's government, local leaders, and the manufacturing sector to address strategies and solutions regarding this important issue.
This Leadership Summit entitled 'Addressing the Shortage of Skilled Workers in US Manufacturing' will be held on Monday November 12 from 8:00 am - 9:00 am.
Members of this panel discussion will include Anthony Swoope, administrator, US Department of Labor, Dan Swinney, executive director, Chicago Manufacturing Renaissance Council and Jim Reeb, Director of R and D, Caterpillar.
David Hanson, the commissioner for The Mayor's Office of Workforce Development will serve as the moderator.
The FABTECH International and AWS Welding Show is sponsored by the American Welding Society (AWS), Fabricators and Manufacturers Association, International (FMA), and Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME).
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