#508. New Graduates of Manufacturing Skills Class Rewarded with Jobs

Over the past several months, we have reported a number of times on the shortage of skilled workers for the manufacturing industry. Communities, companies, and schools have undertaken a variety of steps to find and train workers for their local manufacturers. The Mayor’s Manufacturing Partnership in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is one such program.

New graduates of manufacturing skills class rewarded with jobs
Don Behm, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

A dozen new graduates of an entry level manufacturing skills class each received the gift of a job offer Friday from Milwaukee Gear Co., Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said.

The grads, ages 19 to 56, completed 10 weeks of training in basic skills and computerized numerical control that had been customized for the company through the Mayor’s Manufacturing Partnership.

On Friday, they were given envelopes with information on their start dates and wages, according to Barrett. Each will be paid at least $15 an hour.

Those weeks of training included two days of classes at the Waukesha County Technical College, two days at the Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership in Milwaukee and one day of job-shadowing a Milwaukee Gear employee.

Milwaukee Gear, a high precision gear maker in Glendale, is a division of Regal Beloit.

The Mayor’s Manufacturing Partnership started in 2012 with the participation of area technical colleges, the Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board and Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership.

More than 800 workers — both newly trained graduates as well as employees advancing their skills — have participated in the program, according to Barrett.

Congratulations to everyone involved in the Milwaukee Mayor’s Manufacturing Partnership on their creative approach to solving a problem that is all too common in today’s manufacturing industry. We would love to hear of other communities or companies that have undertaken steps to solve this issue. Please share your stories with us!