The Harvard Business Review reported over 9 million open jobs in the U.S. as of late April. While the COVID-19 pandemic attributed to this national record high, our talent pipeline was fractured long before this global crisis.
“For the most part, parents seem to encourage their children to pursue prestigious positions that they also perceive to be the highest paying, including engineers and scientists, according to the presentation. They seem to discourage their children from becoming welders or electricians.”
The council’s membership includes CEOs from various industries, senior executives in finance, technology and energy sectors, nonprofit executives representing small businesses, bankers and other public interests, former college presidents, trustees, senior administrators, and current college students.
This year, the theme was “FANatics for Innovation,” so teams of participating students designed and built two different types of fans using STIHL components.
One would be quite surprised to learn of all the products manufactured in the Roanoke region that ship all over the world. Night vision goggles used by our military and police forces. Fiber optic cable following oil wells thousands of feet underground, and feeding cell towers our calls and data. Control systems for wind turbines. Railroad cars and braking systems. Keyless entry systems. Fine jewelry. Custom circuit boards. Medical devices, Automotive transmission components, tires and truck chassis. The list goes on and on.
In 2017, MSI Workforce Solutions increased access to industry credentials and closed career planning and skills gaps.
This program provides multi-disciplinary training in the areas of electronics, electricity, mechanics, programming, shop skills, technical report writing, and affords students the chance to earn several manufacturing industry-recognized certifications.
Katherine DeRosear, director of Workforce Development for the Virginia Manufacturers Association, spoke at the 2015 Economic Summit Luncheon at the Downtown Riverfront Hotel.
The hard work is up to the first class of 24 high school seniors, who will take coursework and a final exam giving them the opportunity to earn the Manufacturing Technician Certification (MT1).
The Virginia Manufacturers Association is partnering with ECPI University to create a hub for manufacturing education and training in Southside Virginia to help align regional employer needs and economic development objectives.