Mazak Career Day Focused on Workforce Development in Manufacturing |
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Mazak recently held its Career Day at its Midwest Headquarters and Technology Center. Career Day featured presentations from Harry Moser, Chairman of GF AgieCharmilles US, and Guy Louden, Director of Training Services, Jane Addams Research Corp. Harry Moser's presentation, A Career in Toolmaking or Machining Technologies: The Right Choice for Students, Community & Country, started with questions to involve the attendees and determine their perspectives and objectives on careers, education, training and manufacturing. After each set of questions and answers, Moser presented relevant information to help the attendees make more informed decisions. Attendees placed high priorities on income, advancement, family values, minimizing stress and maximizing happiness. Moser responded with information on manufacturing's career income, career paths and entrepreneurial opportunities and, at least for individual contributors, the ability to not take work home. "Ultimately, a tool-making or precision machining career can provide a steady income, job security and a career path for an individual," said Mr. Moser. "For the community and for the country, these jobs provide continued stability and competitiveness." Mr. Moser also observed that a recent study found 80% of Associate degree holders earned more than a Bachelor degree holder's median income; therefore, concluding that occupation, not degree level, determines salary. "A 29-year old tool and diemaker makes approximately $40,000 annually |
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while an English major of the same age brings in approximately $28,000 a year," said Moser. Mr. Moser added that there are many career paths that start with being a tool maker or precision machinist. "People can go into manufacturing management with a large or small company or teach a particular manufacturing trade such as EDM. There are many opportunities in manufacturing sales such as machines and supplies, molding machines, and much more. The entrepreneurial opportunities are vast. Most shops were founded or purchased by, on average, a 35-year old toolmaker/precision machinist and now have sales of several million dollars per year. The success/survival rate in such shops is dramatically higher than for the average start-up: restaurants, retail, dot.com, etc. The attendees were encouraged to "get to know manufacturing before making a career decision." Most shops are now clean, safe and well-organized. To assure the reality continues to improve to strengthen the image, the NTMA has launched a nationwide 6S Program to get member shops' housekeeping and safety to the highest level. In this difficult economic time, manufacturing is a great choice for our communities. "A manufacturing job creates three to five times more secondary jobs than does a service job," said Moser. "Manufacturing technology requires skill. Quality, cost and delivery are all requirements for being world competitive. Companies need skilled labor, which is in very short supply, and companies need to invest in technology. Forty percent of companies cannot modernize equipment because workers lack the skills. Ultimately, a competitive US economy requires more skilled, manufacturing trades people." Mr. Moser continued to explain that "manufacturing skills shortages are impacting manufacturing businesses and the biggest shortage is in skilled production. Training resources should be directed to the kinds of work that are both highly paid and subject to import competition." "Skilled jobs in manufacturing also have a high importance to the community," said Moser. "These jobs can provide skilled workers up to 55 hours a week in busy times. Many companies are small to medium size and are privately or locally owned. These company types depend on local, skilled labor. Our youth will also stay within the community to work." Mr. Moser also shared that a 2006 NTMA/Charmilles survey of NTMA member shops concluded that, nationwide, there were 76,000 skilled manufacturing job openings at the time of the survey. Including all job categories available, the 76,000 openings equated to 10.1 percent of the total workforce. The average starting wage was $16.82/hour and the average annual income was $42,000/year to start, including overtime. Skilled manufacturing positions can provide high job security and these jobs can be found just about everywhere. Obviously, the market has since softened substantially, but the same is true for lawyers, accountants and, especially, for liberal arts majors with no job-specific skills. Mr. Moser's presentation also included the role of the National Institute for Metalworking Skills, Inc. (NIMS) and how this nonprofit organization supports the development of a skilled workforce in the metalworking industry. "The primary activities of NIMS include developing, writing, validating and maintaining skill standards for each industry while certifying the skills of individuals against those skill standards," said Mr. Moser. "The NIMS also assists states, schools, and companies to form partnerships. These partnerships assist with implementing skill standards, achieve program accreditation, and certify the skills of trainees and workers." Several links and resources detailing manufacturing careers and training materials can be found at us.gfac.com/company/careers/index.cfm. Email Harry Moser for a copy of the presentation or other information on promoting careers in manufacturing. For more information contact: Tim Fara, General Manager Mazak Midwest Technology Ctr. 300 East Commerce Drive Schaumburg, IL 60173 847-885-8311 Fax: 847-885-9565
Harry Moser, Chairman GF AgieCharmilles 560 Bond St. Lincolnshire, IL 60069-4224 847-955-7102 Fax: 847-913-5340
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