Many parents undervalue manufacturing as a career for their children. However, when parents were told about the financial benefits of jobs in manufacturing, they said they would encourage their children to explore the field.
Caterpillar Inc.'s E4Life program partners with public schools in Peoria, Illinois, to provide hands-on manufacturing experience to high school students with a focus on innovation. Prior to the implementation of this program, Caterpillar spent time with students and potential participants to find out what barriers stand between them and the workforce.
Companies work to interest youths in manufacturing through outreach efforts and partnerships with schools to offer courses that lead to college degrees in manufacturing.
This article describes the apprenticeship program and other activities that toolmaker Komet of America is pursuing to bring new people into the metalworking industry as machinists. The company has met with some success working with the Tooling & Manufacturing Association and a local high school.
To ensure success of productivity-enhancing technology, shops and other manufacturers must understand and take into account the four main areas of the acquisition process: problem definition, conceptualization, implementation and realization.
