Training Efforts Focused on Filling Manufacturing Gap

By Erin Boeckman, Staff Writer
Reprinted with permission from Oklahoma Publishing Today
11/13/2006

Even with the closure of multiple manufacturing plants in Oklahoma, the state Department of Commerce reports that companies are experiencing a worker shortage, bringing more focus to the education and training needs of the existing and emerging workforce.

Oklahoma's manufacturing companies are experiencing a worker shortage, according to an ODOC news release. The shortage is attributed to the high demand for skilled workers for the energy and aerospace industries. Some of the positions in demand include machinists, fabrication and welders.

Recently, ODOC, acting on behalf of the Governor's Council for Workforce and Economic Development, received a $1.5 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to help incumbent workers close the skills gap and to get youth involved in the manufacturing industry, said Mark Hays, resource development coordinator for ODOC's Office of Workforce Solutions.

Manufacturing job "Advanced Manufacturing Centers of Excellence will focus on helping existing companies' workforce issues - trying to find new workers, fill openings, help incumbent workforce increase skills for new technology or new processes," Hays said.

People who worked for years at General Motors, Dayton Tire or Delta Faucet may need to acquire new skills sets or upgrade their skills to qualify for other manufacturing jobs in the state. Working with the Oklahoma Department of Career Technology Education, Metro Technology Centers recently acquired a list of Dayton employees affected by lay-offs, said Brian Ruttman, public relations coordinator for Metro Technology Centers.

A survey of these workers revealed what type of training they needed, for the short term and the long term, to get them back into a career. Metro Tech's economic development division is currently reviewing the survey results to determine what classes are needed, Ruttman said.

"When I went to Dayton Tire, talking to the employees, some of them have been there 25 to 30 years," Ruttman said. "Maybe that career they want to do does not fall into what they've been doing all along. Our goal is to get them into what they want to do as quickly as possible."

Job assessments available through Metro Tech's student services can help direct workers to types of careers they may have an aptitude for, he said. Currently, Metro Tech's aviation program is experiencing the highest demand, Ruttman said. The centers are running as many classes as possible, but space is an issue, he said. The director of the aviation career center is in contact with legislators and has hosted several events to make lawmakers aware of the need for funding, Ruttman said.

In response to the apparent need for additional resources to train new and existing workers, the Oklahoma Department of Career Technology Education has requested additional funding from the Legislature, said Brady McCullough, the department's associate state director.

The Career Tech budget request for fiscal year 2008 includes a $4 million request for expansion of programs in the aviation industry, McCullough said. Such programs would include airframe and power plant certification, electronics, sheet metal and hydraulics training and would be geared toward placing some of the displaced workers from plant closures into new aviation positions, he said. Displaced workers can be used in other industries, as well. For example, on Monday, McCullough spoke with representatives of a trucking association who are in need of additional workers. They discussed the possibility of using Dayton workers to help fill the gap, he said.

An additional budget request for $2 million would be used for new programs and expansion of programs in areas such as biotechnology, nanotechnology and manufacturing, McCullough said. These emerging fields would be intended not only for displaced workers, but would also be available for high school enrollment, he said. Ruttman emphasized the fact that the manufacturing industry no longer embodies the traditional image.

"There's a misconception about the manufacturing field," Ruttman said. "People picture rough, physical labor, but manufacturing in today's society is very clean with state-of-the-art work facilities and computer components."

According to the ODOC's news release, as of March 2004, manufacturing jobs made up 10 percent of Oklahoma's total employment. The average wage of an advanced manufacturing worker in Oklahoma is $38,094, which is $8,000 more than the state's average personal income.

The federal grant money ODOC received will help establish Project MOVES (Manufacturing for Oklahoma's Vital Economic Sustainability), which will be used to help retrain manufacturing workers and fill the worker pipeline, Hays said.

The youth component of the program will assist disadvantaged youth and kids aging out of foster care to receive training for the manufacturing field, he said.

Another component will provide language skills classes for workers who use English as a second language. In addition to improving communication, the classes will help address potential safety issues for people who might not be proficient in English, Hays said.

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Training Efforts Focused on Filling Manufacturing Gap By Erin Boeckman, Staff Writer Reprinted with permission from Oklahoma Publishing Today 11/13/2006 Even with the closure of multiple manufacturing plants in Oklahoma, the state Department of Commerce reports that companies are experiencing a worker shortage, bringing more focus to the education and training needs of the existing and emerging workforce. Oklahoma's manufacturing companies are experiencing a worker shortage, according to an ODOC news release. The shortage is attributed to the high demand for skilled workers for the energy and aerospace industries. Some of the positions in demand include machinists, fabrication and welders. Recently, ODOC, acting on behalf of the Governor's Council for Workforce and Economic Development, received a $1.5 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to help incumbent workers close the skills gap and to get youth involved in the manufacturing industry, said Mark Hays, resource development coordinator for ODOC's Office of Workforce Solutions. "Advanced Manufacturing Centers of Excellence will focus on helping existing companies' workforce issues - trying to find new workers, fill openings, help incumbent workforce increase skills for new technology or new processes," Hays said. People who worked for years at General Motors, Dayton Tire or Delta Faucet may need to acquire new skills sets or upgrade their skills to qualify for other manufacturing jobs in the state. Working with the Oklahoma Department of Career Technology Education, Metro Technology Centers recently acquired a list of Dayton employees affected by lay-offs, said Brian Ruttman, public relations coordinator for Metro Technology Centers. A survey of these workers revealed what type of training they needed, for the short term and the long term, to get them back into a career. Metro Tech's economic development division is currently reviewing the survey results to determine what classes are needed, Ruttman said. "When I went to Dayton Tire, talking to the employees, some of them have been there 25 to 30 years," Ruttman said. "Maybe that career they want to do does not fall into what they've been doing all along. Our goal is to get them into what they want to do as quickly as possible." Job assessments available through Metro Tech's student services can help direct workers to types of careers they may have an aptitude for, he said. Currently, Metro Tech's aviation program is experiencing the highest demand, Ruttman said. The centers are running as many classes as possible, but space is an issue, he said. The director of the aviation career center is in contact with legislators and has hosted several events to make lawmakers aware of the need for funding, Ruttman said. In response to the apparent need for additional resources to train new and existing workers, the Oklahoma Department of Career Technology Education has requested additional funding from the Legislature, said Brady McCullough, the department's associate state director. The Career Tech budget request for fiscal year 2008 includes a $4 million request for expansion of programs in the aviation industry, McCullough said. Such programs would include airframe and power plant certification, electronics, sheet metal and hydraulics training and would be geared toward placing some of the displaced workers from plant closures into new aviation positions, he said. Displaced workers can be used in other industries, as well. For example, on Monday, McCullough spoke with representatives of a trucking association who are in need of additional workers. They discussed the possibility of using Dayton workers to help fill the gap, he said. An additional budget request for $2 million would be used for new programs and expansion of programs in areas such as biotechnology, nanotechnology and manufacturing, McCullough said. These emerging fields would be intended not only for displaced workers, but would also be available for high school enrollment, he said. Ruttman emphasized the fact that the manufacturing industry no longer embodies the traditional image. "There's a misconception about the manufacturing field," Ruttman said. "People picture rough, physical labor, but manufacturing in today's society is very clean with state-of-the-art work facilities and computer components." According to the ODOC's news release, as of March 2004, manufacturing jobs made up 10 percent of Oklahoma's total employment. The average wage of an advanced manufacturing worker in Oklahoma is $38,094, which is $8,000 more than the state's average personal income. The federal grant money ODOC received will help establish Project MOVES (Manufacturing for Oklahoma's Vital Economic Sustainability), which will be used to help retrain manufacturing workers and fill the worker pipeline, Hays said. The youth component of the program will assist disadvantaged youth and kids aging out of foster care to receive training for the manufacturing field, he said. Another component will provide language skills classes for workers who use English as a second language. In addition to improving communication, the classes will help address potential safety issues for people who might not be proficient in English, Hays said. Related Links Workforce Oklahoma Governor's Council For Workforce And Economic Development

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