Crisis management: Competing firms cooperate to deal with shortage of skilled workers

Think there are no good jobs in manufacturing these days? Think again.

The jobs are out there, but there aren't enough skilled workers to fill them. In fact, the Minnesota Precision Manufacturing Association doesn't hesitate to call the shortage of qualified staff a "crisis" - and it's finding creative ways to bring new workers into the industry.

The 320 members of the MPMA represent companies ranging from one-person shops to multinational corporations like Graco. They manufacture everything from medical devices to refrigerator door hinges. But they all have two things in common, according to Jaime Nolan, MPMA Executive Director: "First, they want to keep manufacturing in the United States - and, if possible, in Minnesota. And they need to find people to work in our industry."

While MPMA members may be competitors, they cooperate in networking and job recruiting. Members can post jobs for free on the MPMA website, for example. The organization also offers an "alumni" member category, which provides a low-cost membership for anyone who previously worked in manufacturing. The MPMA LinkedIn group is open only to members, but the organization welcomes non-members to both its Facebook page and Twitter feed.

In addition, most MPMA activities are open to non-members for a slightly higher fee.

Recruiting veterans

MPMA is also a platinum sponsor for the Veteran's Career Fair held each year, talking to several hundred veterans about careers in precision manufacturing. Nolan says that, because of the worker shortage that all members face, MPMA member companies avoid recruiting other companies' workers. Instead, they focus on bringing new workers into the industry.

In short, Nolan says, a large part of the MPMA mission is overcoming the perception that there are no good jobs available in manufacturing: the opposite is the case. The rising price of oil has made it expensive to ship goods from overseas. In addition, U.S. manufacturers have quality and productivity initiatives that enable them to rival the imports from low-wage countries.

As a result, the need for workers has grown, although the jobs have changed. They require more computer and math skills and critical thinking ability. At a recent regional meeting in Mankato, Nolan says, eight members companies reported 40 jobs that were unfilled because of the inability to find skilled workers. "These are jobs that have been unfilled for a while," Nolan says.

Another unique networking activity in manufacturing is the "Reverse Job Fair" that is part of the activity for every class that graduates from the Hennepin Technical College M-Powered program. Unlike the traditional job fair, where prospective workers go from booth to booth introducing themselves to employers, the employers are the presenters at the Reverse Job Fair. Representatives of participating manufacturing companies stand in front of the graduating class, telling about their company's products and job openings, handing out business cards and urging graduates to follow up.

Erick Ajax, Vice-President of EJ Ajax & Sons in Fridley, has been an M-Powered supporter and participant in every one of the Reverse Job Fairs held over the past five years. "They are a wonderful opportunity to meet new workers," he says. "In fact, I participated in one in May and hired an M-Powered graduate about a week later."

For more information on MPMA and its upcoming events, visit the website: mpma.com. For more on the M-Powered program, go to: hennepintech.edu