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Results below are from employers in these industries: Manufacturing
They are talking about these topics: Current Continuing Education, Educational Partnerships, Experience & Credentials, General Skills, Industry Trends, Needs & Challenges in Continuing Education, Occupation-Specific Skills, Workforce Trends & Challenges
Your Selections:
Industry
Manufacturing
Topic
Current Continuing Education
Educational Partnerships
Experience & Credentials
General Skills
Industry Trends
Needs & Challenges in Continuing Education
Occupation-Specific Skills
Workforce Trends & Challenges
| Manufacturing | Current Continuing Education | Several employers offer advancement training programs in which entry-level or incumbent employees may continue to complete a certificate or degree program, either on-site or through tuition reimbursement agreements. | Read what employers said about this issue |
| Manufacturing | Current Continuing Education | Employers use a variety of modalities for incumbent training. The majority use vendors or outside consultants for on-site training; others use online tools. A fair number of organizations have worked with local technical schools and community colleges to develop customized certificate programs that are taught on-site. | Read what employers said about this issue |
| Manufacturing | Educational Partnerships | Employers speak of the process of recruiting and the challenge of placement partnerships with colleges in other regions of the state. | Read what employers said about this issue |
| Manufacturing | Educational Partnerships | Employers suggest opening or re-opening programs in welding, mining, and electronic technology. | Read what employers said about this issue |
| Manufacturing | Educational Partnerships | Employers comment on various other existing and potential partnerships between education and the industry. | Read what employers said about this issue |
| Manufacturing | Educational Partnerships | Employers offer various recommendations for improving MnSCU manufacturing programs, such as standardizing program and occupation titles, increasing support for community colleges, and training professors on new technology. | Read what employers said about this issue |
| Manufacturing | Educational Partnerships | Many employers are currently involved in internship programs through high schools or local colleges. Employers would like to see more candidates who have internship or workplace-based experience. Many employers are interested in partnering with MnSCU to create stronger partnerships in this area. | Read what employers said about this issue |
| Manufacturing | Educational Partnerships | Many businesses are already collaborating with MnSCU; for instance, some business representatives are active on advisory boards and in associations. Employers emphasize the importance of continuing these collaborations, enhancing communication, and partnering more frequently to develop curriculum and other solutions. | Read what employers said about this issue |
| Manufacturing | Educational Partnerships | Many employers speak of the need for businesses and educational institutions to work with K-12 institutions to educate children about the manufacturing industry and related career opportunities. It would also be beneficial to educate guidance counselors and parents about the manufacturing industry to further enhance the possibility that youth consider manufacturing employment opportunities. | Read what employers said about this issue |
| Manufacturing | Experience & Credentials | Most employers say they look for entry-level hires that have some post-secondary education. Minimally, this means a certificate, but a two-year degree is preferred. Most employers state that a high school degree or GED is generally inadequate for various positions; nonetheless, many have had to hire at this level due to the labor shortage. | Read what employers said about this issue |
| Manufacturing | Experience & Credentials | Employers provide a great deal of on-the-job training to new hires. Even new hires who have graduated with a certificate or a degree must be trained on the specific equipment used by that particular facility. | Read what employers said about this issue |
| Manufacturing | General Skills | Several employers want new hires that have stronger project management and leadership skills. | Read what employers said about this issue |
| Manufacturing | General Skills | Employers look for new hires that are motivated, trainable, and willing to engage in lifelong learning in a continuously evolving industry. | Read what employers said about this issue |
| Manufacturing | General Skills | Employers need new hires that possess strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills; these skills are needed in order for employees to fulfill their role within the manufacturing process and to be able to quickly adapt to new technology. | Read what employers said about this issue |
| Manufacturing | General Skills | Employers feel professionalism is lacking in new hires, and they cite generational differences in work ethic. Many employers express concern about issues related to attendance, quality of work, and discipline. They also have difficulty finding employees who are willing to work second and third shifts. | Read what employers said about this issue |
| Manufacturing | General Skills | Interpersonal communication and teamwork are frequently cited as crucial skills for new hires; these skills are often lacking. | Read what employers said about this issue |
| Manufacturing | Industry Trends | With skilled workers in short supply, the manufacturing industry is moving towards automation and robotics; therefore, the demand for qualified maintenance specialists is increasing. | Read what employers said about this issue |
| Manufacturing | Industry Trends | Ongoing technological advancements within the manufacturing industry create a strong need for ongoing incumbent training. This includes the need not only for technical skill training, but also for ongoing training in interpersonal communication. | Read what employers said about this issue |
| Manufacturing | Needs & Challenges in Continuing Education | Employers are interested in more extensive partnering with MnSCU on incumbent training programs. They are in need of training and certificate programs that are customized, on-site, and flexible. Ideally, this type of training could be offered without interrupting the production process. | Read what employers said about this issue |
| Manufacturing | Needs & Challenges in Continuing Education | The occupation-specific skills in which employers frequently train incumbents include computer skills, math and reading skills, electronic and automated controls, safety awareness, backing technology, mold builders, and welding. | Read what employers said about this issue |
| Manufacturing | Needs & Challenges in Continuing Education | The general skills in which employers frequently train incumbents include project management and leadership, problem-solving, and communication. | Read what employers said about this issue |
| Manufacturing | Occupation-Specific Skills | Some employers mention that skilled drafters are in short supply. | Read what employers said about this issue |
| Manufacturing | Occupation-Specific Skills | Employers need new hires that have a variety of occupation-specific and soft skills; without these skills, new hires are unlikely to advance. | Read what employers said about this issue |
| Manufacturing | Occupation-Specific Skills | Some employers mention hiring machine operators and others without fundamental technical skills because of an inadequate labor supply. They would also like to see an increase in the technical skills of those coming in with four-year degrees as well. | Read what employers said about this issue |
| Manufacturing | Occupation-Specific Skills | Employers in machine technology and production technology occupations would like to see more candidates with production technology skills. This includes the ability to understand the entire manufacturing process and the ability to effectively implement change. | Read what employers said about this issue |
| Manufacturing | Occupation-Specific Skills | Employers who represent machine technology and mechanical design and drafting occupations need electronic technicians who understand mechanical components and who are trained in mechatronics. They also say skilled drafters are in short supply. | Read what employers said about this issue |
| Manufacturing | Occupation-Specific Skills | Employers say some new hires lack basic computer skills; these skills are necessary for both production and non-production positions. | Read what employers said about this issue |
| Manufacturing | Occupation-Specific Skills | Employers emphasize the need for new hires that have strong mathematical abilities; levels of skill needed vary by position, but range from algebra to trigonometry. Many employers need to send new employees to remedial math courses. Similarly, although mentioned less frequently, some employers feel that reading and writing skills are lacking in new hires as well. | Read what employers said about this issue |
| Manufacturing | Occupation-Specific Skills | Respondents who represent welding and fabrication occupations say it is difficult to find qualified welders; this is due, in part, to the lack of welding programs at high schools and junior colleges. Several employers hire workers with minimal experience and then train them on-site. Employers would like to see the creation of new welding programs. | Read what employers said about this issue |
| Manufacturing | Occupation-Specific Skills | Respondents who represent system automation technology and machine technology occupations state they need workers with skills in quality inspection, maintenance, and program logic controls (PLCs). They also say that higher order computer skills are essential. | Read what employers said about this issue |
| Manufacturing | Occupation-Specific Skills | There is a need for machinists and machine operators who have the following skills: blueprint reading, analog technology, Swiss technology, and manual machining. | Read what employers said about this issue |
| Manufacturing | Workforce Trends & Challenges | Overall, many employers find it difficult to attract quality entry-level applicants; this is particularly true in the areas of welding/fabrication, system automation technology, and machine technology. | Read what employers said about this issue |
| Manufacturing | Workforce Trends & Challenges | As in other industries, leaders in the manufacturing industry are concerned about a high percentage of the workforce retiring over the next decade; this is particularly true as they continue to struggle to fill entry-level positions. | Read what employers said about this issue |
| Manufacturing | Workforce Trends & Challenges | Location is a continuing challenge for rural employers who face not only a declining labor supply, but also the challenge of competing with the salaries offered in metro areas. | Read what employers said about this issue |
| Manufacturing | Workforce Trends & Challenges | Employers speak of competing for qualified candidates. Some say that many students in technical programs are hired before they have even completed their degree. | Read what employers said about this issue |
| Manufacturing | Workforce Trends & Challenges | Several employers are pleased with the quality of new hires and the training they have received. | Read what employers said about this issue |
