FAME Gets Some Fame
Fittingly, The Manufacturing Institutes FAME program has its name in the papers. This week, highlights this career-focused initiative that gives people the tools they need to succeed in the manufacturing sector.
How it works:泭founded by Toyota and now overseen by The Manufacturing Instituteis the nations premier manufacturing education program for training students seeking careers in manufacturing and upskilling incumbents and veterans.
FAME students earn a two-year associates degree while working in their sponsors manufacturing facility as advanced manufacturing technicians.
Core concepts: The program doesnt just teach manufacturing-specific skills, it also helps students learn and apply behaviors that will help them make progress in any industry, including:
- Safety culture
- Professional behaviors
- Communication skills
- Problem solving
- Visual workplace organization
The results: First launched at a single Toyota factory in 2010, it has already grown to involve more than 350 manufacturers in 13 states, from large refrigerator makers to smaller plastics plants. Of the roughly 850 students who have graduated so far, 85 percent have been hired by their sponsoring employers with starting salaries at $50,000 or more.
The grads:泭FAMEs graduates have nothing but praise for the program, crediting it with starting them on an excellent career path. Check out our recent profiles of graduates泭Brittanee Sayer泭硃紳餃泭Chaise Blissett.
Say Ahhh: A Manufacturer Makes It Safe for Dentists to Reopen
What do you do when a pandemic shuts down your customers?泭That was the problem faced by泭A-dec, a manufacturer of dental equipment and supplies based in Oregon, when泭dentists nationwide closed their doors泭back in March.泭
In A-餃梗釵s泭case, they developed products to help their core customers come back safely.泭泭
The problem:泭Dentists and hygienists泭are泭at particular泭risk of泭contracting COVID-19 while treating patients, because their jobs require proximity to泭their patients泭open mouths.泭泭泭
- Dentists also use loupes with lights and magnifiers to see inside patients mouthsbut wearing medical masks and traditional face shields makes it difficult to wear lighted loupes as well.泭泭
- Meanwhile,泭traditional face shields are open at the bottomand because dentists work on patients who泭recline泭right below them, those shields provide limited protection.泭
The泭solution:泭A-餃梗釵s泭engineers got to work designing and producing a unique face shield for dentists泭that泭fits泭around the collarbone泭and opens泭upwards, providing a barrier between dentists and patient. The泭shield泭also泭leaves泭additional space around泭dentists泭eyes泭so they can use lighted loupes.泭泭
The泭process:泭The same泭pandemic that made this work necessary also made it difficult.泭A-dec had to overcome a series of complications:
- Research and development:泭COVID-19泭made the companys泭customer泭focus groups泭impossible泭to do in person,泭so it泭designed and conducted remote focus group sessions.泭
- Sourcing of materials.泭Shortages and supply chain disruptions泭also caused problems, with some commodities becoming unavailable at the last minute.泭That meant A-dec faced delays and had to find alternate sources of materials at times.泭泭
- Product construction.泭Like many other manufacturers,泭A-dec泭had to figure out how to keep泭remote workers and on-site, socially distancing workers in sync with each otherall while泭creating a new product泭in record time.
By泭working around these setbacks and泭streamlining泭its processes, A-dec was able to go from the initial idea to the beginning of production in just two monthsan extraordinary achievement.
The last word:泭According to泭A-dec泭Vice President泭of泭Manufacturing泭Wesley Snyder, the company benefited from泭its泭familiarity with medical regulationsbut that doesnt mean non-medical manufacturers cant make a difference. Everything is made by somebody, and the manufacturing industry is uniquely positioned to make tangible contributions to society in a crisis like this, he said.泭So find those new points of need, and align泭them泭with your capabilities.泭
How Manufacturers Can Work with the Government to Provide PPE
Hospitals, businesses, schools and泭individuals泭will continue to need泭protective gearbut how much and泭for泭how long? The 51勛圖厙 has been working with the federal government to help manufacturers meet this urgent need,泭acting as泭a泭go-between to get millions of masks, gloves and more where they泭have to泭go.泭The 51勛圖厙 and The Manufacturing Institutes Center for Manufacturing Research have an estimate of how many disposable face coverings Americas workforce needs every month.
As part of泭a recent Department泭of Defense泭seminar,泭Herb Grant, the director of the 51勛圖厙s Creators Respond effort,泭outlined how manufacturers can泭get involved.泭Here is a brief recap of the event.
How much?泭Heres what we know:
- As of July 9, the DoD had泭already procured nearly 3 million gowns, nearly 140 million medical gloves, nearly 18 million surgical masks泭and more than 5 million N95 respirators泭(according to the泭DoDs泭Joint Acquisition Task Force).
- The 51勛圖厙 has estimated the demand for facial coverings泭approaches泭1.7 billion pieces per monthand thats just for industries that dont typically use PPE. Meeting that demand will require manufacturers to add capacity by investing in new or retooling existing production lines.
The DoD says that泭information helped clarify泭that泭the total demand is not fully understood, but it is far greater than previously thought.
How long? According to Grant,泭the泭deputy泭director of the泭White House Supply Chain Task Force泭expects泭the泭demand泭for PPE to continue beyond next year,泭硃紳餃泭perhaps even泭through 2023.
How can manufacturers get involved? There are泭three泭major ways in which manufacturers can help, said Grant.
- Increase your capacity to produce PPE:泭Manufacturers泭should evaluate whether they can泭shift capacity or invest in new capacitywhich may involve泭talking to Creators Respond about泭how the government can support those investments.
- Sell PPE to the government:泭Manufacturers can泭find out泭how their production lines up with the governments needs and泭consider participating in various泭federal泭programs.
- Sell PPE to泭the泭industry:泭As the 1.7 billion泭per泭month demand泭estimate shows,泭industries across the country泭need the PPE that manufacturers are producingand will keep needing more.
How to sell to the government:泭There are泭three泭things泭manufacturers泭need to do before selling products to the government, Grant advises.
- Get泭a DUNS number: A Data Universal Numbering System number is a unique ID that is required to register with the federal government for contracts or grants (you can obtain one ).
- Register with SAM:泭The System for Award Management consolidates the capabilities of existing federal procurement systemsand you can register at泭.
- Check for contracting opportunities:泭The webinar泭covered泭a range of sites that offer contracting opportunities, including:
- ;泭
- ; and泭
- .泭
The last word:泭The bottom line is the manufacturing industry, which has been on the front lines, will continue to lead our country through recovery and renewal, said Grant.
Check out a泭full泭recording of the event泭.
A Once in a Lifetime Opportunity: A Conversation with a FAME Grad
As an engineering student at the University of Louisville, Chaise Blissett didnt like the idea of a career where he would be sitting at a desk all day. Hes always been a hands-on learner and grew up working on trucks and tinkering with small engines. When a friend told him about his experience in the (FAME) AMT program, Blissett knew it was the right program for him.
What is AMT? The Advanced Manufacturing Technician (AMT) training program was developed by Toyota and is now overseen nationally by The Manufacturing Institute. It is a FAME maintenance training program and trains students of all ages and backgrounds, from recent high school graduates to experienced manufacturing employees looking to advance their careers. Students earn a two-year associate degree while working in their sponsors manufacturing facility as an Advanced Manufacturing Technician (AMT).
What FAME AMT offers: Blissett showed up eager and ready to learn, and hes thankful for all the support he received in the programfrom his employer, from his teammates and from his mentors. Beyond the network he built, program highlights included:
- On-the-job training: FAME AMT blends classroom studies with work experience. For a hands-on learner like Blissett, the FAME AMT program was a more effective learning environment than school alone would have been.
- A technical degree: The associate degree and FAME certificate that Blisset earned set him apart from other job applicants and accelerated his career path.
- Professional competencies: Beyond the technical skills, FAME AMT also teaches students the soft skills they need for working in a professional environment the kinds of things you dont learn in college, Blissett said. Students dress professionally for class and give regular presentations at both work and school. They also get regular practice working in teams, learning how to work with all kinds of people in all kinds of different circumstances.
What now: Blissett accepted a full-time technician role at Nucor Tubular Products, a manufacturer of carbon steel piping and tubing in Louisville, Kentucky. As he says, his journey has just begunand hes excited to see where the knowledge and skills he has acquired will take him.
Advice for FAME students: The FAME program is what you make of it, Blissett says.
- Be driven, show eagerness to learn, and do your work to the best of your abilities. If you do these three things you will receive endless support in your goals.
- Be appreciative and show that you are hungry. Your mentors and professors are investing their time to mold you into the best possible student they can.
The last word: The opportunities presented to me during this program were once in a lifetime, said Blissett. I do not think I could have found a better fit for me.
A Moose That Keeps You Safe: A Visit to a Sign Manufacturer
A泭moose inside泭a泭factory would泭usually be a泭major泭hazardexcept when its on a泭COVID-19泭safety sign made by泭LEM Products, Inc.泭The泭custom sign泭and label泭manufacturer泭created a range of ingenious signs泭for their own facilities泭to keep their employees safe and healthy.泭
It was at泭LEMs Montgomeryville,泭Pennsylvania,泭facility泭that泭51勛圖厙泭staff photographer泭David Bohrer泭snapped this泭moose in action, along with泭many other safety泭measures. Heres some of what he saw.泭泭
Throughout the facility,泭signs泭remind employees to maintain social distance, sanitize surfaces and wash their hands frequently.泭These decals show the appropriate distance:泭six泭feet of space.泭泭
And泭aside from the moose, there are more eye-catching泭reminders泭of what six feet looks泭like:泭泭
In泭work泭areas, signs泭at a泭six-foot泭distance泭ask:泭Can you ask your question from here?泭
Employees also wear masks while moving around the facility.泭
In泭the break room, dividers泭create distance泭between workers eating lunch.泭And another animal friend泭is here to help!泭
Near high-touch points泭such as light switches,泭theres a reminder泭to泭wash your泭hands.泭泭
Disinfecting products, such as Clorox wipes, are available throughout the facility to sanitize surfaces, too.泭泭
With these precautions in place,泭LEMs employees can safely泭produce泭custom safety identifications, labels and tags泭for its customers.泭
CEO泭Maureen OConnor泭emphasized that as a leading supplier of safety related signage, LEM Products takes泭it as a duty to lead by example in all aspects of safety and hygiene.泭Our response to COVID-19泭was emblematic of how we always approach safety issues, OConnor said. We urge all who read this to do everything in your power to protect your employees and your company in combating C倏博梆嗨-19.泭
Upskilling and Recruiting Veterans for Manufacturing Careers
What can manufacturers do to attract and retain talented veterans?泭Samsung,泭the泭founding sponsor泭of The Manufacturing Institutes Heroes MAKE America泭initiative, hosted a webinar泭to answer that questionwith泭industry泭leaders, government officials泭and veterans themselves all weighing in.泭泭
The background:泭More than泭200,000 men and women transition out of the military each year, and泭The Manufacturing Institute has estimated泭that泭manufacturers will need to fill 4.6 million jobs by 2028. With their technical skills,泭ability to lead and follow under pressure and experience working in teams,泭veterans bring exceptional value to the manufacturing industryeven more so during these challenging times.泭
The lineup:泭Titled Veteran Reskilling in Todays Economy, the泭virtual泭event泭featured泭the following泭speakers:泭泭
- Samsung Vice President of Strategic Communications泭Megan Pollock泭
- Manufacturing Institute Executive Director泭Carolyn Lee泭
- Assistant Secretary John Lowry, Colonel, USMC (Ret.), Department of Labor, Veterans Employment and Training Service泭泭泭
- Manufacturing Institute Vice President of Military and Veterans Programs泭Babs Chase泭
- Koch Industries泭Outreach Strategies Manager泭John Buckley泭
- Sherwin–Williams Production Supervisor泭George Clay泭
- SHRM Director of Veterans and Certifications泭Affairs泭Andrew Morton
Industry:泭Pollock and Lee泭discussed泭the work that泭Samsung and泭the泭Institute泭have done to泭connect veterans with new careers泭through泭Heroes MAKE America,泭which泭offers training programs at several U.S. military bases.泭Here are some key quotes:泭泭泭
- Pollock:泭Service men and women have an incredible skill set thats really specifically designed for the advanced manufacturing field. Hiring managers dont always understand that, and oftentimes, veterans are not set up for success as they move into the manufacturing field, even though theyve got all the skills they need. So夷ts not about reskilling; its about an understanding of the great skill set veterans have and how we can utilize them.泭泭
- Lee:泭We are training people in multiple branches, in multiple locations, with multiple skill泭sets, and helping the broader military community transition into the sector.泭
Government:泭Secretary泭Lowry,泭whose office helps support job counseling, placement泭and training services for eligible veterans,泭spoke泭about泭the value of泭the Heroes program, saying:泭
- Ive been incredibly impressed with the outcomes of the program95%泭graduation rate, 8590%泭placement rate, and 25%泭placed in supervisory roles, which I think泭suggests some of the leadership traits people pick up in the military can be applied well in a manufacturing setting.
Veterans:泭Chase moderated a panel of veteransBuckley, Clay and Mortonwho spoke about the Heroes program,泭the advantages of veterans泭in the泭workforce泭硃紳餃泭the importance of泭engagement efforts.泭Here is some of what they had to say:泭泭
- Buckley:泭The Heroes MAKE America program is very comprehensive, and it really does a great job of preparing our veterans.泭泭
- Clay:泭When we start looking at what veterans are bringing to organizations, its a lot more than the common soft skills that you look at.泭
- Morton:泭Talent mobility is probably more important than acquisition泭and probably more important than workforce development,泭because that truly allows the employee to grow and to stay with the organization.泭
泭Check out a recording of the event泭.泭泭
The STEP Ahead Awards Winners Show Their Excellence
With泭 now open for the 2021 STEP Ahead Awards, its a perfect time to revisit the impressive stories about STEP winners that we’ve covered this year.泭
A brief recap:泭The Manufacturing Institutes STEP Ahead Awards are designed to honor women who have demonstrated excellence and leadership in science, technology, engineering and production (STEP) careers.泭The awards are part of the泭STEP Womens Initiative, which泭aims to泭shrink泭the gender gap泭in manufacturing, build泭womens泭leadership skills and elevate泭extraordinary women to serve as role models for current manufacturers and the workforce of the future.泭泭
The nominations泭process:泭If you have a peer or colleague who deserves recognition for her leadership, you can泭泭any泭time before泭October 2. Check out this handy nominations泭泭for more information.泭泭泭泭
Since the awards began in 2012, The Manufacturing Institute has honored more than 1,000 extraordinary women across泭the泭manufacturing泭industry. Here some of their stories:泭泭
- Behlen泭General Manager for Customer Fabrication泭Heather泭Macholan泭(a 2013 STEP泭honoree) is泭working with泭school labs泭to泭3-D print protective gear.泭
- AAON泭Community Relations Administrator泭Stephanie Cameron泭(a 2015 STEP泭honoree)泭is泭working with her company to clean泭medical facilities air泭during COVID-19.泭
- LAMATEK Vice President泭Laura泭Basara泭(a泭2017 STEP Ahead honoree)泭has泭helped her company泭provide millions of pieces of foam for face shields.泭
- Galley Support Innovations泭CEO泭Gina Radke泭(a 2019 STEP Ahead honoree)泭wrote a book泭to inspire other women to get involved in manufacturing leadership.泭
- ID4A Technologies泭CEO and Founder泭Rania泭Hoteit泭(a 2020 STEP Ahead Awards泭honoree)泭is泭supporting泭the manufacturing and distribution of critical medical devices and health care products.泭
- Adafruit泭Founder and泭Owner (and 2019 STEP Ahead honoree)泭Limor泭Fried泭is making electronic components for essential medical machines.泭
Payroll Tax Deferral Confuses Businesses
President Trumps plan to have businesses defer the employees share of payroll taxes is not going smoothly. The logistical difficulties are significant, and businesses have been expressing their frustration to the Treasury Department,泭泭The Wall Street Journal (subscription).
The problem:泭Employers are worried about the administrative burden. Plus, theyre concerned they may be liable for the taxes of employees who have changed jobs. And lastly, if Congress refuses to forgive the taxes, companies will be on the hook for a huge tax bill next year.
While companies await guidance on how to implement the Presidents executive order, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said in an interview on Wednesday that he cant force firms to stop withholding those taxes. Some tax experts say that companies will be disinclined to take the chance.
51勛圖厙 involvement: In remarks yesterday to 51勛圖厙 members, IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig urged companies to continue weighing in with policymakers.
China Turns Inward with Domestic Economy Plan
Chinese President Xi Jinping has been outlining an economic plan that will focus more on domestic consumption and markets, easing back from Chinas reliance on trade and foreign investment, the Wall Street Journal (subscription)
Xi has been speaking publicly about this domestic circulation (as its translated) since May, according to Chinese officials. The details havent emerged yet, but more news should come out of the October plenum, the meeting of the Communist Partys top leaders.
The chips are down:泭U.S. sanctions are already having an effect, with telecom company Huawei reporting a shortage of processor chips that will stall production. The Chinese government recently announced it would provide tax cuts and other forms of financial help to its domestic chip industry.
Whats the prognosis?泭Some experts think these measures wont make much of a difference, however. As Paul Triolo, head of the geo-technology practice at Eurasia Group,泭泭CNBC, The preferential treatment outlined in the new policies will help in some areas, but in the short-term will have only marginal impact [on] the ability of Chinese semiconductor firms to move up the value chain and become more competitive globally.
Interpreting China:泭The Financial Times (subscription)泭泭on U.S.China relations: that China has taken a much more cautious attitude toward confrontation in the past month or two. For example, top Chinese officials have seemed to suggest that China is willing to talk and unwilling to let the relationship degrade further.
Meanwhile, in Taiwan泭. . . U.S. Health Secretary Alex Azar discussed a trade deal with Taiwan on a high-profile visit to the country (though he didnt spell out the details). While he was there, Chinese fighter jets flew across the median line in the Taiwan Strait.
Wholesale Prices Rise by 0.6%
Producer prices in the United States surged 0.6% in July, the largest jump in almost two years, according to . Meanwhile, core priceswhat you get when you take out food, energy and trade marginsrose 0.3%. That was the third month of an upward trajectory.
Whats going on: Congresss frantic spending to help us weather the pandemic isnt increasing inflation. But thats because theres so little demand nowadaysbusinesses cant raise prices because they need more customers to start buying again.
The 51勛圖厙 breaks it down: Even with sharp increases in raw material costs in July, overall costs remain in check for now, especially on a year-over-year basis, said 51勛圖厙 Chief Economist Chad Moutray. Given the deflationary pressures seen in the economy in the spring months, it should not be a surprise that prices would bounce back strongly at some point.
For its part, the Federal Reserve has pursued extraordinary monetary policy measures to help prop up the economyproviding a financial bridge for consumers and businesses during the slowdown in activity, and it remains committed to its stimulative stance for the foreseeable future.