By Mark Hansel
NKyTribune Contributor
Gateway Community and Technical College and Northern Kentucky FAME have joined together to implement a program to help ensure a qualified local workforce for the advanced manufacturing industry.
The Advanced Manufacturing Technician (AMT) program is a two-year Associate Degree course that combines cutting-edge curriculum, paid working experience and best practices of the region’s world-class manufacturers.
Dr. G. Edward Hughes, president of Gateway CTC and Mike Hirsch, Northern Kentucky FAME chapter president, signed the agreement to implement the program Wednesday at Gateway’s Boone Campus.
The Kentucky Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (KY FAME) is a partnership of regional manufacturers designed to implement apprenticeship-style training that will create a pipeline of skilled workers.
Hirsch, a vice president of operations with Bosch Automotive Steering, said the companies involved in the program are committed to its long-term success.
“This program has huge potential and this is not going to be the flavor of the year,” Hirsch said. “Our companies all have tuition reimbursement, so the student has no debt and better than that, they have a job.”
Bosch Group recently completed the acquisition of ZF Lenksysteme, whose ZF Steering facility in Florence is one of the region’s largest employers.
By partnering with local educational institutions such as Gateway to offer the AMT program, companies can develop a workforce customized to their specific needs.
Doug Cain, CEO of Mubea, said as worldwide competition has increased in almost every industry, workforce development has become the most critical need for all companies.
“(Workforce development) will be the greatest restrictor of anybody being able to achieve sustainable, profitable operations,” Cain said. “Whoever wins that battle will end up succeeding and for those companies who are not investing in this long-term, they will not be able to win.”
Since 2009, Mubea has hired 2,000 people and will see the first graduating class from its own apprenticeship program this year. The company has more than 1 million square feet under roof at its six manufacturing facilities in Northern Kentucky.
One of the reasons advanced manufacturers have embraced this initiative is that there are simply not enough qualified local workers to go around. They recognize that if they engage in the practice of poaching skilled workers from each other, everyone loses in the long run.
Cain said that while the national unemployment rate continues to drop, for advanced manufacturers in the region, there are many more jobs than there are qualified workers.
“I can assure you, for Mubea, and for all of the manufacturers here in this region, the unemployment rate is zero,” Cain said. “The only chance we have to succeed in this is to be able to grow the talent that is necessary.”
Hughes introduced Gateway’s first AMT class, which includes students from high schools across the region, at Wednesday’s event. He compared them to the seven University of Kentucky basketball players that have declared eligibility for the NBA draft.
“We held our own draft,” Hughes said. “(These are) the 13 students who have been drafted to become part of Kentucky FAME.
The students were selected after submitting applications that were presented to the participating companies for review.
Among those “drafted” was Jacob Martin from Grant County High School. Martin is in the vocational program at Grant County High School and he was recommended by one of his teachers.
“One of the Gateway teachers came down to teach a class and she told us about the program, so I applied and I got in” Martin said. “I see it as a way to get a good jump on my future and make some money while I’m still in school. There are not a lot of opportunities like that out there.”
Jim and Joanne Martin were on hand to see Jacob introduced into the program. They are relieved that their son will be getting a quality education, with an opportunity for a high-paying job in a stable industry, without the investment required at a four-year university.
“It sounds like a really great program and I think the only thing that can stop these students is themselves,” Jim Martin said. “Jacob will be getting some real world experience along with his education.”
Martin works for L’Oreal in Florence and has seen firsthand how the advanced manufacturing industry has changed over the years.
He said one of the biggest challenges for employers is to dispel the long-held myths about the work environment and the qualifications needed to obtain an advanced manufacturing job.
The dirty shop floors and many of the hands-on machining operations have been replaced by pristine, computer driven environments.
“I actually make the shampoo and I have to use four computers just for that,” Martin said.
Hughes said the AMT partnership extends beyond Gateway and the Northern Kentucky FAME companies to community partners that have helped dispel those misconceptions.
“The community is writ large,” Huge said. “It’s our chamber, it’s our Tri-County Economic Development Corporation, it’s our county judges and our city mayors…it’s the 19 school superintendents that are all-in because of our collective impact.”
In addition to learning the specific skills needed for their jobs, the AMT program also teaches students the corporate culture of the advanced manufacturing industry.
Workshops that focus on safety, lean manufacturing, problem solving and communications and presentation skills, provide graduates with the tools needed for advancement in the field.
The program also sets the foundation for students interested in pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in engineering, technology or business.
Graduates are not guaranteed a job, but will obtain the skills needed to be considered for a position by a sponsoring manufacturer or another company in the industry.