(l-r) Karla Chandler, Education Liaison, NTMA North Texas and Phil Andrews, Instructor, Lincoln Tech (Grand Prairie, TX). At the meeting, Andrews presented the North Texas Chapter of the NTMA with the Chief Executive Officer and President's Pride and Partnership Award. "The North Texas NTMA was a supporter of our program from its inception. Members were on the initial advisory board and helped Lincoln Tech determine the path to follow to build our CNC program," said Andrews.
Herb Homeyer, Chairman of the Board, NTMA
The North Texas chapter of the National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA) recently held its first meeting of 2016 at Manda Machine Company in Dallas, TX. NTMA Chairman of the Board Herb Homeyer spoke to attendees on the state of the NTMA and the business outlook of the manufacturing industry.
"Slow growth in China, the low price of oil and the stronger American dollar will have an impact on U.S. manufacturing growth in 2016," said Homeyer, adding that "aerospace, medical, automotive and power generation are seen as growth engines for the industry in 2016."
According to Homeyer's presentation, the top priorities for manufacturing businesses in 2016 are to:
- Increase sales, especially through new business with strategic, long-term contracts
- Increase productivity through lean initiatives, cost reductions and improved output per person
- Find skilled employees.
"The number one issue in the manufacturing industry is a lack of skilled workers. As shop floor technology has advanced, our largest need will be finding highly skilled and trained workers that are also problem solvers, `bluetech' workers," said Homeyer. He also cited a study by the Boston Consulting Group indicating that there are currently 600,000 unfilled manufacturing jobs in the United States.
"According to Fortune Magazine, by the year 2030, 70 million baby boomers will leave the work force but only 40 million millennials will enter it, leaving a deficit of 30 million in the workforce," said Homeyer. "According to Forbes Magazine the hardest job to fill today is that of an engineer; number nine on the list is the machinist."
The NTMA, as pointed out in the presentation, is helping advocate for the industry by promoting the creation of regional apprenticeship programs and through NTMA U, a six semester on-line e-learning machinist apprenticeship program with textbooks and aptitude test, customized and tailored to the needs of NTMA members.
"The program contains 21 articulated college credits towards an Advanced Mechanical Engineering Technology degree at participating universities such as the University of Akron," said Homeyer, adding that "The program also aligns with the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) accreditation."
For more information contact:
Gail Houser, Chapter Executive
NTMA - North Texas Chapter
P.O. Box 540576
Dallas, TX 75354
214-655-1900
ntc.ntma@gmail.com
www.ntmanorthtexas.org