Rebekka Neumann and Matthew Combs, Apprentice Mechatronics Technicians, are shown on the EMAG shop floor.
Rebekka Neumann, Apprentice Mechatronics Technician, is shown on the EMAG shop floor.
Matthew Combs, Apprentice Mechatronics Technician, is shown on the EMAG shop floor.
While the skills gap continues to make headlines, many manufacturers are looking into partnerships to train highly skilled machine tool technicians. According to a World Economic Forum report, "The manufacturing sector has a fundamental role to play in global economic growth and job creation," and surveys continue to cite the lack of qualified labor as a significant hurdle to growth for many manufacturers. "The challenge for the industry today seems to be removing the perceptions that make young adults reluctant to consider manufacturing as a career path," said an EMAG spokesperson. "Advanced manufacturing of the 21st century is no longer the smoke stacks and assembly lines the younger generation often envisions it to be; it is state-of-the-art plants and high-tech, modern production facilities."
EMAG has addressed this issue within its own shop. "We definitely notice the average age of our top talent increasing, and as many companies strive to retain their best employees, we saw the opportunity to foster new talent in-house," said Peter Loetzner, CEO of EMAG USA. To encourage continuing growth in Michigan's mechatronics manufacturing industry and ensure an advanced workforce to close the sector's skills gap, EMAG launched an apprentice training program together with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Oakland Community College and Henry Ford Community College. The program offers high-school graduates a career in machine mechatronics, a discipline incorporating electrical, electronic and mechanical studies, providing all graduates an Advanced Associate's Degree. "Not only are we training these students with the skills they need to succeed in the manufacturing world, but we are also offering them the platform to learn from the top talent we already have in our shop, making sure this essential knowledge of both our machines and the industry in general is passed along organically," said Loetzner.
Over the course of three years, the students rotate semesters at their colleges with practical learning on the shop floor. "This program is unique in that it is the first of its kind here in the U.S. that will develop a talent pipeline for the manufacturing industry," said Mike Kjorli, EMAG USA Manufacturing Manager and designated mentor to the company's apprentices.
"The participating colleges asked companies for their input to develop a real world curriculum, making it truly tailored to the needs of the industry," said Kjorli.
"This approach is gaining ground in many industries as companies begin to recognize the gap between the education system and the working world, where young adults - lacking the specific skills and experience often required to even secure an interview - continue to find it difficult to break into the workplace," said the spokesperson. "Aiming to create a system for these students to develop and flourish, EMAG provides all tuition and student fees as well as supplies. The combined classroom and work curriculum provide the students with paid employment during their studies and a guaranteed position with the company upon successful graduation."
Rebekka Neumann was hired in 2013 by EMAG as an Apprentice Mechatronics Technician. "This program takes a different approach," she said. "You apply everything you learn at your job, and then you graduate with a degree, a job and no student loan debt." Neumann sees the program as a launching pad to establish herself in the industry and was recently named to Manufacturing Engineering's "30 under 30" list recognizing the future leaders of manufacturing. Together with Matthew Combs, who received an honorable mention on the same list, Neumann recently began her second year in the program and now even has the opportunity to mentor the next set of students joining the EMAG mechatronics apprenticeship program, as they joined the company on the shop floor in January.
The program's goals are introducing more people to the mechatronics technician field, providing critical support to engineers, and increasing the sector's economic strength and ability to attract and retain desirable jobs. Specifically the program aims to attract young people to manufacturing by offering them high-tech careers that produce high-quality products and add value to our economy. "This will prepare them for many work opportunities in the mechatronics field, not only at EMAG, but in the whole industry," said Kjorli.
"I have always believed it is necessary that we help educate and train the next generation of engineering, operator and maintenance personnel," said Loetzner. "Nothing happens in industry if the machines are not working properly. We at EMAG are very proud to have launched this important program."
For more information contact:
Peter Loetzner
EMAG LLC
38800 Grand River Avenue
Farmington Hills, MI 48335
248-477-7440
info@usa.emag.com
www.emag.com