A coalition of manufacturing employers have joined together in a Manufacturing Careers Partnership and developed a standard set of skills for entry level welders in the region, called Welding 101—The start of a lasting career in manufacturing.
The partnership, founded by the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, surveyed local companies that hire welders to get their input on which tasks a welder should be able to complete on day one. About 110 participants responded to the survey, taken from May 29 to June 26.
The identified priorities for skills development include a focus on employability skills, increased opportunities for work experience, more experiential learning to make manufacturing more tangible, programs that encourage technical education and establishing partnerships between manufacturers, educators and workforce development organizations.
Manufacturers will meet with technical college representatives to refine the coursework that will train employees for welding careers.
This is the first project the MCP has initiated. The group was formed to supply a talent pipeline that will meet industry needs.
Dave Biddle, manager of technical services at Joy Global, and David Mitchell, president and COO of Monarch Company, are co-chairs of the coalition. The advisory committee includes 34 other representatives from manufacturing, education and economic development organizations.
The MCP’s pilot project is supported by the Milwaukee 7 economic development organization. MCP has also hosted a skills gap session and manufacturing listening sessions; conducted the Sullivan study, Be Bold 2 Study and welding supply-side assessment; launched the Schools2Skills Tour Model Program, Dream It. Do It. Wisconsin, the Industrial Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship Program, helped pass a vocational bill and funded the Second Chance West Allis program.
