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National Association of Manufacturers Endorses New Curriculum to Capture High School Students in NWI - February 02 2012

The retirement of the Baby Boomer generation has created thousands of job openings in advanced manufacturing and logistics as well as growth in cutting-edge areas such as alternative energy, green vehicles, nanotechnology, and aerospace. All which will continue to create new career opportunities.

A recent study by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) shows that 80% of manufacturers cite "finding qualified workers" as their top concern.

While a high school diploma isn't enough to prepare for these high-tech jobs, success doesn't hinge alone on four-year bachelor's degrees. This phenomenon was recently featured on NBC Nightly News, which focused on advanced manufacturing's need for an "up-skilled" workforce trained with Associate Degrees with certification in technical fields.

On Tuesday, February 28, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Conexus Indiana will conduct a workshop to present information on new curriculum they are authoring and piloting entitled “Introduction to Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics. Educators will have the opportunity to meet with manufacturers, Conexus staff, regional educational leaders, and some of their own colleagues from high schools in Northwest Indiana. Sullair Corporation in Michigan City has agreed to host this educational event and will provide a guided tour of their facility. Sullair is a division of Sundstrand International and a world leader in compressor technology.

Tentative agenda is as follows:

• Update on the Conexus curriculum and why the National Association of Manufacturers endorses it               
• Workforce challenges
• High School Champions—what and who are they?
• The power of WorkKeys®
• Indiana’s Skills Template and Career Pathways
• Job skills challenges and how Sullair is addressing them

 

Presenters include: Claudia Cummings-Conexus Indiana, Robert McGrieal-MonoSol, Chancellor Jim Dworkin-Purdue North Central, Dr. Brent Martinson-Hobart High School, Henry Brooks-Sullair Corporation, Linda Woloshansky-Center of Workforce Innovations.

Registration is complimentary with a box lunch being served. For further information contact the Center of Workforce Innovations at 219-462-2940, ext. 28 or email bgrimsgard@innovativeworkforce.com.