WCBA: Waukesha gears up for manufacturing moneth

Contact: Amanda Payne

262-409-2620

apayne@waukesha.org

Waukesha, Wis. (September 25, 2013) – The Waukesha County Manufacturing Alliance, a program of the Waukesha County Business Alliance, will kick off another year of manufacturing initiatives in three key ways in the coming weeks:

§ Providing opportunities for students, parents and educators to tour manufacturers for National Manufacturing Day on October 4 and throughout October for Manufacturing Awareness Month in Wisconsin.

§ Launching the Manufacturing Alliance’s third year of Schools2Skills™, a program that takes high school students to tour area manufacturers.

§ Continued support of the Dream It. Do It. initiative, aimed at changing perceptions of manufacturing careers.

Schools2Skills™ tours continue changing perceptions of manufacturing

Kicking off its third year this November, the Waukesha County Business Alliance’s Schools2Skills program continues to gain momentum; inspire students, parents and educators; and change perceptions about careers in manufacturing. The program gives Waukesha County schools the opportunity to tour local manufacturers and see firsthand the innovative and advanced technology in Southeastern Wisconsin. Tours conclude at Waukesha County Technical College, where attendees learn about the education available for these types of opportunities.

“Many people have never toured a manufacturing facility, and the program does exactly that – takes people inside some of the area’s leading companies to learn more about manufacturing, career paths and salaries,” said Suzanne Kelley, president of the Waukesha County Business Alliance. “More than 600 students have toured so far and surveys demonstrate the program is working – participants indicate an improved perception of manufacturing after attending.”

The Schools2Skills program has been turned into a template and is now being replicated in other counties.

‘Open doors’ during Manufacturing Day and Month

Many of the Business Alliance’s manufacturers will open their doors October 4 in celebration of National Manufacturing Day, offering opportunities for high school and college students, their parents and educators to tour.

An annual event that occurs on the first Friday of October, Manufacturing Day is a coordinated occasion during which manufacturers across the country open their doors to demonstrate the potential of modern manufacturing and foster interest in manufacturing careers.

Tours, offered by area manufacturers including Dueco, Inc., Generac, GenMet, Rentapen, Inc., Tailored Label Products, Inc., TLX Technologies, Waukesha Metal Products, Weldall and ULTRA Tool & Manufacturing, require advance registration. A full list tours is available at www.waukesha.org/pages/manufacturingalliance. For the second year in a row, Wisconsin has elected to extend Manufacturing Day throughout the entire month of October, recognizing the month as Manufacturing Awareness Month. Manufacturing Day and Month are in direct response to manufacturers’ growing concerns about attracting and retaining the next generation of workers needed now, and in the near future.

“Waukesha County manufacturers are in need of engineers, CNC operators, welders, building maintenance technicians, automation technicians and many more positions,” Kelley said. “And, we expect that gap to grow as we lose Baby Boomers – and their years of knowledge and experience – to retirement in the coming years.”

In addition, the Business Alliance, in collaboration with Waukesha County Technical College and W-O-W Workforce Development, will host “Discover Manufacturing” October 16. This event gives manufacturers, including Aries Industries, MetalTek International, Quad Graphics, Waukesha Metal Products, Signicast and many others, the opportunity to meet and engage with students and their parents. Information and registration are available at www.wctc.edu/discover-manufacturing.

Dream It. Do It. – taking charge of the manufacturing skills gap

Wisconsin’s manufacturers are growing, thriving and doing exciting things with advanced technologies. They are also in need of skilled, dedicated workers. Through a collaborative effort called Dream It. Do It. Wisconsin, the Waukesha County Business Alliance’s Manufacturing Alliance continues to promote the many good-paying, technologically advanced careers available.

The Business Alliance, in collaboration with other regional partners and economic development groups, is proud to be working with manufacturers, schools and others to help people see the potential of a future in manufacturing – and get on the path toward success.

The companies and organizations supporting Dream It. Do It. – including nearly 30 Manufacturing Ambassadors who’ve made a long-term commitment to the program – represent a diverse cross-section of the region’s high technology operations.

“It’s exciting to see so many great, leading-edge companies working together to help our industry solve the key challenge of recruiting. We’re grateful for the efforts of everyone involved,” said Kelley. “From companies to schools to civic groups, we’re building some very valuable partnerships to help us attract and retain the skilled workers we need to keep thriving.”

About Waukesha County Business Alliance
Waukesha County Business Alliance is a countywide chamber of commerce with over 900 member companies, representing over 60,000 employees. The mission of the Alliance is to drive economic growth in Waukesha County by fostering a vibrant business community built on a foundation of four pillars: Advocacy, Development, Networking and Promotion. The Alliance provides opportunities for its members to advocate on behalf of the business community, develop themselves and their employees, network and build strong business relationships and promote their business.