A Collaborative Effort to Address Workforce Concerns in Lincoln County Manufacturing a Future that Works

Collaboration Partners Industry-Members of local Industrial Manager’s Association (IMA); the IMA is a 501C6 and is managed by Lincoln Economic Development. Education-Lincoln County Schools, Career and Technical Education. Economic Development-Lincoln Economic Development Association. Manufacturing a Future that Works

Envisioning a Model Program In 2008 economic developers and industry managers began researching human capital initiatives, with STEM emphasis, to develop a pipeline of workers and prepare students for future success. Of those identified and researched, none fit the local community of industries and the identified needs. Additional roadblocks to a local solution included: cost of a model program, turnover in the school superintendent’s position resulting in lost momentum, and downturn of the economy. Manufacturing a Future that Works

Skills Gap Widens Through the Business Retention and Expansion Program, visits to industries revealed continued workforce concerns among the community of industries. The Industrial Manager’s Association leadership began the conversation again that “something” needed to be done for their future success. LEDA and IMA refocused on our local area of influence. Manufacturing a Future that Works

IMA/LEDA Strategy for Change-A Framework Short-term strategy for locating entry level operators: included familiarization with CRC benefits, job boards and other useful tools for HR managers to utilize in hiring. Mid-term strategy to train and develop technical talent: work in association with the local community college to create joint training programs to benefit multiple companies. Long-term strategy to develop and identify early career pathway education opportunities to be offered through the local schools and Career and Technical Education. Manufacturing a Future that Works

Strategy Three Became Priority One Develop and identify early career pathway education opportunities to be offered through the local schools and Career and Technical Education. Communicate the reality of the local story to school officials. Panel discussions with Administration, Principals, and members of the Industrial Manager’s Association. Convince educators of a “skills gap” and the role they could play in the solution. Emphasize the importance of being career ready as college ready to the manufacturing world. Tours of local industries and exposure to modern “Advanced Manufacturing”. Explain the economic relevance of the manufacturing sector to the well-being of the local community. Manufacturing a Future that Works

Manufacturing a Future That Works is Born Educators responded and resolved to offer Advanced Manufacturing courses through its Career and Technical Education program to all high school students. What would the program look like? The IMA exec committee was giving the opportunity to develop a curriculum with an approved course provider based upon feedback of local industries surveyed and their agreed common needs in “Mechatronics”. Emphasis of the program to be placed on operators. How would it be funded? The local schools had $675k in bond money to be used in CTE classes to fund the initial courses and also fund programs in the elementary and middle schools (engineering is elementary, robotics, etc). Lincoln County Government had to vote to approve the bonds for program use. These monies fund the initial classes (Level 1 & 2) and grant monies would be sought to pay for additional classes and more advanced programs. Manufacturing a Future that Works

Advanced Manufacturing PREREQUISITE: None This course provides students with an overview of advanced manufacturing and introduces them to the foundational skills required to begin an advanced manufacturing career. Topics include mechanical measurement & quality control, hand and power tools, mechanical fasteners, electrical systems, fundamentals of electronics, PLC Line Training Panel, Advanced Ladder Logic, mechatronics, and blueprint reading. The Career and Technical Education Student Organization is Technology Student Association (TSA). A post- assessment test is required which counts 20% of the course grade. Manufacturing a Future that Works

Additional Funding The complete Advanced Manufacturing/Mechatronics curriculum has been fully funded thanks to: Lincoln County Schools and Lincoln County ($675K), NC Golden Leaf Foundation ($200K) and The Timken Foundation ($635K). Funds allocated total over $1.5 million. Without the collaboration efforts of all involved, this program would not be a reality. Manufacturing a Future that Works

Internship Apprenticeship NLHS, WLHS ELHS, LHS Advanced Manufacturing I Advanced Manufacturing II Lincoln County School of Technology Advanced Manufacturing III Advanced Manufacturing IV Mechatronics V and VI Career and College Promise Workforce Community College 4 Year College Entry Level Workforce Operator Operator Certificate Manufacturing Pathway Manufacturing a Future that Works

Sponsors

For More Information: Kara Brown, Lincoln Economic Development Association or Manufacturing a Future that Works