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Manufacturing Matters! Conference Update: The Skills Gap: Is it Real?

Michael Reader

The Manufacturing Matters! Conference was held at the Hyatt Regency in Milwaukee on Thursday, February 27, 2014.  The conference was sponsored by the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership (WMEP), which focuses on delivering unmatched opportunities for learning, networking, and collaboration.

For 17 years, the conference has raised public awareness of the vitality, strength and contributions of the manufacturing sector, and promoted the well-being of manufacturing as essential for a healthy, vibrant economy in Wisconsin.

One of the conference’s breakout sessions was a spirited debate concerning the skills gap.  The room was packed full to hear an exchange between Professor Marc V. Levine, Founding Director of the Center of Economic Development of University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee, Mike Reader, President of China Instrument Parts, and Eric Isbister, CEO and co-owner of GenMet Corporation. WMEP President Buckley Brinkman moderated the panel discussion.

The subject being debated was the existence–or absence thereof–of a manufacturing skills gap in Wisconsin, and the program was headlined as “The Skills Gap: It is Real?”  The controversy stemmed from a 2013 study conducted by Levine, who proposed the manufacturing skills gap to be just a myth.

Levine’s arguments were based on statistical data of national averages in a job creation crisis scenario. Isbister and Reader contradicted Levine’s findings, by suggesting that the crisis was with skills, not job creation.

A summary of their views:

  Job Crisis
  • Creating too few
    good jobs
  • Economic numbers don’t
    support crisis
  • Well educated workforce
  • Skills just one piece
    of the puzzle
  • Employers aren’t effective “finders”
  Skills Crisis
  • Too few qualified workers
    to fill jobs
  • 82% of all manufacturers
    cite problems
  • Unskilled workforce
  • Skills are a
    critical need
  • Engaging more channels
    than ever

According to an article in BizTimes.com by Dan Shafer, “Isbister called the study itself ‘detrimental’ to the future of manufacturing,” alleging that it discourages people from pursuing high-skilled careers in this field.  Mary Baer, Director of Member Development a Waukesha County Business Alliance, said there was a “disconnect between educators like Levine and the business community.”  Both Reader and Isbister extended Levine an invitation to visit their particular facilities, and observe the skill gap first hand.

At the end of the debate, Brinkman gave Levine credit for “appearing in front of a group of passionate manufacturers who all dispute the findings.” Levine mentioned that he it was not his intent to harm the industry, and that he considers “manufacturing…the heart of innovation.”

Brian White’s Manufacturing Story is An Inspiration for New Generations Coming Up Through the Ranks

Michael Reader

By Mike Reader
About a year ago, I had the pleasure of attending a Waukesha County Business Alliance (WCBA) Manufacturing Alliance panel discussion on workforce development issues and meeting Brian White. Brian, President of GE Energy’s Waukesha Gas Engines, was one of the panelists and he spoke frankly about manufacturing and the privilege of employing about 700 Wisconsinites.

In September of 2012, and under Brian’s leadership, GE Energy’s Waukesha Gas Engines had announced the hiring of 115 employees, following a $3.1 million investment into its engineering center.

Brian is a brilliant leader, but his story is not your typical rise-to-the-top story, because Brian didn’t go to college after graduating from high school. As a matter of fact, he didn’t know what to do with his life, until he found the opportunities that manufacturing presented to him—opportunities which he did not hesitate to pursue.
In May 2013, Dream It! Do It! Wisconsin, featured Brian in a video titled “Upward Bound – Wisconsin Manufacturing Careers.” In just a few statements, Brian tells us about his early life, and gives anyone looking into a career in manufacturing the assurance that anything is possible.

Last night, I attended another WCBA meeting, hosted by GE Energy’s Waukesha Gas Engines, which included tours of the engine assembly area and featured the Dream It! Do It! Wisconsin video featuring Brian. I was pleased to connect with Brian again. We had a very good discussion about what each was doing to address the skills gap and looked forward to collaborating in the future.