Relevant training for the 21st century Sept. 9-10
In my previous column, I observed that, even eith global economic trends, there will always be a core of local manufacturing jobs.
George Erickcek, economic analyst at the W.E. Upjohn Institute in Kalamazoo, gave a presentation at Glen Oaks Community College this summer, and said, "Manufacturing will remain the foundation of the state's economy," but growth in the manufacturing sector will be flat."
So how do we retain these jobs on which our local economy depends? Erickcek says we need to think about economic development differently. "Human" capital is becoming more important than "physical" capital.
We need to continue improving our skills.
Within the county, we are amking inroads to this worthy goal. Kari Scare, business services coordinator at Glen Oaks, has been refining short-term training options available to employers through the college.
The EDC, Curt Mastos, regional manager of Michigan works and the college collaborated on a survey of county manufacturers.
We asked questions about the areas where they need to improve their employees' skills, what days, times and locations work best and wheather they'd be willing to be partners in the cost by facilitating joint training with other companies.
Based on there results, Kari is coordinating classes for short-term courses such as statistical process control, health and safety, workplace reading, basic math, welding and blueprint reading, among others.
While Kari is working with employers to provide skill-enhancement opportunitirs for existing workers, Curt is working with potential future workers.
He will use the short-term training at Glen Oaks to enroll dislocated workers. These workers can then increase their skills to become more marketable as new hires to county employers.
If your are a employer who would like to learn more about short-term training at the college, please call Scare at 467-9945.
Or, if you are a worker who is currently unemployed and would like to learn more about Michigan Works programs, please call the Three Rivers office at 273-2717.
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