What Happened?
The Carson City Library will be the first in the nation to offer a workforce training program that focuses on the manufacturing industry.
Goal
The Carson City Library in Nevada is connecting local residents with an entry-level manufacturing certification program through a new workforce training initiative. The certification program would be the first of its kind made available through a public library, Northern Nevada Business Weekly reported.
Carson City is using a Library Services Technology Act grant administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services to pay for the program. The library is collaborating with Western Nevada College and the Carson City School District to create the training and certification materials to meet the needs of in-demand manufacturing jobs, Northern Nevada Business Weekly reported.
The library will offer the same certification course accessible to students at Western Nevada College, allowing workers to receive the Manufacturing Technician Level 1 credentials without being enrolled in the institution. Because the library is a free public institution, it is an ideal asset for complementing workforce training programs available at academic institutions, Northern Nevada Business Weekly reported.
The goal of the program is to equip the local workforce with skills necessary to land high-paying manufacturing jobs. By strengthening the credentials of resident workers, Carson City hopes to attract more businesses for sustained growth and job creation.
The Manufacturing Need
New research from Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute reveal 3.5 million manufacturing jobs will be created over the next decade, but 2 million of these jobs will not be filled due to a lack of a skilled workforce. According to the report:
- 84 percent of manufacturing executive agree there is a talent shortage in U.S. Manufacturing
- 80 percent of manufacturing companies are willing to pay more than market rates in workforce areas due to the talent crisis
- 60 percent of open skilled production positions are unfilled due to a talent shortage
In addition, 82 percent of manufacturing executives believe the skills gap will impact their ability to meet customer demand. With 2.7 million baby boomers retiring and an expected 700,000 manufacturing jobs to be created in the next decade, closing the skills gap is imperative. Furthermore:
- Every job in manufacturing creates another 2.5 new jobs in local goods and services
- For every $1 invested in manufacturing, another $1.37 I n additional value is created in other sectors
The skills gap is also expected to negatively impact manufacturing companies’ ability to:
- Implement new technologies and increase productivity
- Provide effective customer service
- Innovate and develop new products
- Expand internationally
In terms of how to develop a skilled workforce, the vast majority (94 percent) of executives cited internal employee training and development followed by involvement with local schools and community colleges (74 percent), external training and certification programs (64 percent) and creation of new veteran hiring programs (49 percent).
Many manufacturing executives also expressed concern over the skill set of current employees. About 70 percent felt employees lacked sufficient technology and computer skills, 67 percent cited basic technical training, 69 percent said problem-solving skills and 60 percent pointed to math skills.
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