Minnesota's manufacturing companies are hungry for workers. The well-managed companies are busier than ever, producing goods for customers who value high quality over low price. Manufacturing jobs are perfect for people who don't want to be trapped at a desk day after day and want a finished product rather than a stack of papers to show at the end of the workday.
Today's manufacturers want workers who can use their heads as well as their hands. That requires a different set of "ABCs"
Analysis
Manufacturing companies stay profitable by continuing to find better ways of doing things. They need workers who drive toward continuous improvement. At E.J. Ajax, the metal stamping company headquartered in Fridley, a team of employees figured out how to reduce manufacturing time on a customer's product from a full month to a single day. To get there, Ajax workers used the same "lean manufacturing" processes developed by giants such as Toyota.
Blueprints
Manufacturing workers need to be able to "read" the language of signs and symbols on blueprints and schematic diagrams. Blueprint reading and math are among the skills taught to workers in the M-Powered programs in Metal Manufacturing and Injection Molding. M-Powered offers a "fast track" to employment for low-income and displaced workers, as well as people already employed in manufacturing and looking to move up. For frequently asked questions about careers in manufacturing, go to www.hennepintech.edu and search on "M-Powered."
Computers
Computerized Numerical Controllers (CNC) are used to run manufacturing equipment. The ability to handle software applications is a must. Hundreds of high school and college students are learning these skills the fun way through the Midwest Robotics League where they get to design, build and test a product in a real world application. For information, go to www.kickbot.org.
The ABCs will get you started in a manufacturing career. After that, expect to keep learning. E.J. Ajax requires 100 hours of continuing education for every employee every year. Strong thinkers make for strong companies.
To learn more about careers in manufacturing, check out "The Great Manufacturing Get Together" being held January 22 from noon to 7:30 p.m. at Hennepin Technical College in Brooklyn Park. The event includes a job fair from 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., where students and others can talk to representatives from more than 75 manufacturing companies. Admission is free. For an attendee packet, e-mail charles@mfgsuccess.com.
Laura French is principal of Words Into Action, Inc., and is a freelance writer from Roseville.
