Becoming a Certified Production Technician Community

Why Manufacturing?

Growing Needs Growth in existing firms Retirement bubbles New industry pressures

Shrinking Supply Shortage of qualified production associate candidates – Lack of manufacturing experience – Lack of technical skills related to manufacturing High turnover during initial 90 days of employment High first-year injury rates

New World, Old Tools Specifications: – High School Diploma – GED – Some Manufacturing Experience Selection Process Limited Onboarding High Turnover High Injury Rates

Community Kaizen Event 10 Firms Firm teams of 5 Considered effects of: – Recruiting – Screening – Selection – Onboarding Cost of a bad hire

Increase Access to Training and Jobs Aligning Resources means... Training must be relevant to employers’ needs Training must be accessible to job seekers Direct hire jobs are a necessary incentive

Transforming the Process Require formal preparation for Production Associate positions Develop and support a path for Production Associate preparation and certification – Adopt the MSSC Certified Production Technician as a minimum credential – Speak with one voice regarding preparation of candidates Employment Community Education Community Economic Development Community Workforce Development system Local and State Government

A Brand is Born

“We have training here” Recruit Candidates WorkKeys Testing Drug Screening Interview AWARD SCHOLARSHIP Many paths, one credential

“We have jobs here” A Collaborative approach to... – Worker recruitment – Candidate screening – Candidate testing – Candidate referral Advertising blitzes Smart Application WorkKeys Testing

Alignment One Voice... Employers Education Community Organizations Government Funding Job Seekers

Partner Firms

Community Partners Economic Development – 8 Midwest Indiana Economic Development counties Workforce Development – Region 4 Workforce Board – WorkOne West Central – REACH Center Local Government – City of Lafayette – Tippecanoe County Utilities

Funding and Sustainability Federal Funding – Ivy Tech HGEI grant – Workforce Investment Act Local Funding – City of Lafayette – Tippecanoe County – Wind Turbine Fund Private Funds – Sustainability Fund – Utilities

Current Activity Launched Initiative 2/8/12 First CPT class started 3/17 34 Partner Firms 90 CPT Graduates to date 10,254 Smart Applications $325K Scholarships awarded Future training options – Maintenance Techs – CNC Machine Operators

Getting Started Identify Champions Validate Skills Needed Align Providers Secure Endorsements Secure Funding Promote Opportunity Network, network, network! Promote Successes