by community organizations. One of the more prominent
industry efforts is the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)-Endorsed Skills Certi- fication System launched by the Manufacturing Institute. The Skills Certification System provides stack- able credentials that can apply to all sectors of manufacturing. Stackable certifications build on a foundation of basic academic and workplace requirements, followed by general technical competencies and then more specialized, occupationally specific skills. These nationally portable, indus-
try-recognized credentials validate the skills and competencies needed to be productive and successful in entry-level positions in any manu- facturing environment. Te American Foundry Society (AFS) is actively involved in the skills certification effort. AFS and the Institute became the first Allied Asso- ciation Partner of the Manufacturing Institute, and encouraging use of the Manufacturing Skills Certification System is one of the primary objec- tives of the partnership. Te partner- ship also hopes to recruit a new gen- eration into manufacturing roles and foster partnerships between companies and educational institutions, which will ensure the curriculum necessary to prepare students for advanced manu- facturing jobs is taught. Te AFS Institute also is working with guidance from the Manufactur- ing Institute to develop certifications for the metalcasting industry that align with the Skills Certification System. Skills assessments now are being conducted with the objective of introducing metalcasting certifications in 2014. Complete endorsement of the metalcasting skills certification is expected within five years.
Government Actions During his 2013 State of the Union
address, President Obama outlined a concrete agenda to train American workers for high-tech manufactur- ing jobs and make U.S. manufacturers more competitive. Te President proposed a one-
Fig. 2. Shown is the percentage of respondents who strongly agree with each statement in a study by the Manufacturing Institute.
time, $1 billion investment to create a network of 15 manufacturing innova- tion institutes across the country. More immediately, he is acting through executive authority to launch three new institutes, which are partner- ships among businesses, universities, community colleges and government to develop and build manufacturing technologies and capabilities to help U.S.-based manufacturers and workers create good jobs. Te President also proposed
creating a “Community College to Career Fund Co.” administered by the Department of Labor and the Depart- ment of Education. Tis fund will help forge new partnerships between community colleges and businesses to train two million workers for jobs in high-growth and demand industries, including advanced manufacturing. Tese investments will provide the resources more community colleges need to become community career centers where people learn skills that local manufacturers are looking for now, to ensure employers find the skilled workers they need and workers gain credentials to build strong careers.
Market Forces While various awareness efforts
increase knowledge of manufactur- ing career opportunities, market and economic conditions might help a new generation see the industry in a different light. In approximately 60% of jobs that
will need to be filled between 2011 and 2020, the entry-level requirements will
be two-year degrees, occupational cer- tificates or apprenticeship occupational education, according to Edward E. Gordon, president of Imperial Consult- ing Corporation and author of “Win- ning the Global Talent Showdown.” In addition, rising college costs
and perceived declines in economic benefits may lead to declining enroll- ments and market share for traditional schools, as well as the development of new methods for certifying occupa- tional competence. Forty-eight percent of employed
U.S. college graduates are in jobs the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) suggests require less than a four-year college education, according to a new study. Te report, “Why Are Recent College Graduates Underemployed?” published by the Center for College Affordability and Productivity, notes 11% of employed college graduates are in occupations requiring more than a high school diploma but less than a bachelor’s, and 37% are in occupations requiring no more than a high school diploma. As college enrollments and the number of graduates exceed the actual or projected growth in jobs that typi- cally require a college degree, more students may decide to pursue educa- tional and career alternatives, includ- ing skilled manufacturing careers. Marketplace decisions by indi- viduals seeking productive careers, combined with the ongoing efforts of industry, government and educational institutions, ultimately will help solve the skills gap.
April 2013 MODERN CASTING | 23
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