Advanced Manufacturing Task Force Meeting
June 27, 2008
Questionnaire Responses
What is the biggest hindrance/ barrier preventing advanced manufacturers from finding the skilled workers needed to be successful?
· Image and Perception
o The perception that individuals do not have the skills necessary, the perception that schools are not teaching what is needed – the perception that businesses need more and want more
o Negative perception of the industry in Michigan within the media
o Reputation of manufacturing (old image; bad publicity with downturn in economy)
· Education
o Lack of interest from young people in a career in Advanced Manufacturing resulting in reduction or elimination of most High School technical programs
o The jobs of CNC machinists and welders have been difficult to hire. These workers have been difficult to find with the experience needed.
o Change over time (development time is before individuals graduate with the demanded skill sets)
o High school graduation rates
o Lack of education regarding the opportunities in manufacturing
o Higher education is a must.
o Non-profits, universities/ colleges must work together.
· Technical
o Variety of skills across advanced manufacturing in Michigan
Notes on Boards
Main Issues
· Negative image
· Lack of interest in field
· Lack of knowledge from parents
· Generation gap
· Need to do the convincing
· Manufacturing is competing with other industries even if those jobs are lower skilled, lowest paid
· Think it is still the same old assembly line – dirty, dark, etc.
· Students still believe they don’t need to further education beyond high school
· Many, many, many different areas of manufacturing in Michigan
Need to…
1. Look at specific manufacturing jobs that are open – what skills do they need?
2. DO more convincing that manufacturing is “cool” – make it glitzy
3. Embrace the children that have manufacturing already on their radar
4. Education parents
5. MARKETING PLAN – as a collective effort
6. Possibly have focus groups made up of students – What would sell it?
7. Promote, Promote, Promote
8. Connect with Parent/ Teacher organizations and guidance counselors
9. Outside organizations need to come to school districts
§ Present in different format
§ Students don’t think they can do well in or advanced classes
10. Seize opportunity to connect with schools because of the new Merit Award requirements
11. Industry MUST be part of the process and solution
Promotional Tools Media – Media
1. Made in America
2. How It’s Made
3. Makin’ It in Jackson
4. Bring more positive images onto YouTube
5. Hot Jobs, cool careers – construction industry
6. PBS series – Making it in Michigan
§ CLEG trying to fund
§ Blue Sky Productions
2 Paths
1. Filling pipeline
§ Changing image
§ Long term goals/ statements
2. Short term
§ Filling immediate job openings
§ Work with current workforce
Next Steps
· Who are we marketing to?
- Decide target area
- Decide product
· Start at local/ county level
- Ex.: Pure Michigan campaign for tourism
· Need to connect with state media offices
- Michigan. Gov manufacturing website
- Or creative new website
· Look at already existing programs for possibility of duplicating in other areas
- Need to make contacts
- Establish individual networks
- Ex. JAMA
· Market programs that are developing the “New Manufacturing”
· Look at already existing promotional videos
Steps
1. Form smaller groups to do some initial work
· Developing Marketing Plan
- Kathy Conklin
- Bob Schooks
- Kellie Garrett
· Finding Products: best practices, programs, etc.
- Dave Jackson
- Kellie Garrett
- John Nagy
- Kathy Conklin
· Website Group
- Stacy Young
- Kathy Conklin
- RSA Staff
2. Bring larger group back together in August
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