National Institute for Metalworking Skills Commits to Upskill Precision Manufacturing Workforce
Today, the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) announced a commitment to help equip the nation’s front line precision manufacturing workforce with the skills they need to advance in their careers. NIMS will work with employers, education providers, workforce development organizations and other stakeholders to expand Competency-Based Apprenticeships in which students and workers can gain the skills, experience and credentials they need for success in in-demand jobs.
As part of the commitment, NIMS will develop and disseminate an Apprenticeship Blueprint to help companies expedite implementation of customized apprenticeships that meet their talent needs. NIMS will also set a goal to issue 1,000 industry-recognized credentials to individuals in Apprenticeship programs. Through outreach to stakeholders, NIMS will provide a package of tools, resources, and technical assistance to support stakeholder efforts to establish or expand their use of apprenticeships.
The White House highlighted the commitment as part of its Upskill Summit today, which gathered 150 employers, labor leaders, foundations, non-profits, educators and tech innovators from across America who are focused on equipping workers of all ages with the skills they need to advance in their careers. NIMS Executive Director, James Wall, and Roderick Jones, NIMS Board member and Senior Advisor, DMG Mori Seiki USA, attended the Summit. DMG Mori Seiki USA also made a multifaceted commitment to upskill its workforce as part of the Summit. In 2015, the company will invest in new hires of all levels by starting a training program that will include three weeks of training, in which it will send its employees to Japan and Germany to learn its corporate culture and passion for manufacturing.
The program is aimed to increase employee engagement and retention as well as provide advanced skill training for USA production and quality control workers. The company will also launch a Management Education Program for leaders, supervisors, and managers; a tiered compensation program for factory workers that will lay out a clear path for upward mobility via an initial skills assessment and the establishment of skills targets; a program to encourage earning of NIMS skill credentials with 300 direct field technicians and other employees; and expansion of existing apprenticeships for Service Engineers to Application Engineers by launching at least one new class in 2015, 2016 and 2017. DMG Mori Seiki USA will also start a second shift so that employees have more choice in when they work so that they can access learning and development opportunities