Manufacturers are hiring again; what skills do they seek?

Photo above: Steve Nelson, a student in the Computer Controlled Precision Machining Diploma program, works a CNC mill in PTC's machining lab.

Finding a job in the current economy is a difficult task; however, recent reports indicate an unexpected source of jobs this year within the manufacturing industry is on the rise. According to expert estimates, the manufacturing industry is expected to fill a couple hundred thousand positions before the year's end. This is welcome news for an industry accustomed to shedding jobs overseas. There's a slight catch though -- manufacturers are looking to fill highly skilled roles; therefore, these jobs will be hard obtain unless candidates have advanced training and skills.

Industry experts note a dramatic skills shift in the manufacturing industry in recent years. Jobs that rely primarily on manual labor and brute strength are either declining or being sent overseas. This is sometimes referred to as the loss of "old line" manufacturing. So, what skills are manufacturers looking to hire for these days?

Skills manufacturers seek are primarily technology-related. They center around being able to work with the high tech machinery manufacturers increasingly rely on. Sure, there are still some manual labor jobs out there, but most of those are being lost overseas or declining here. The jobs trending upward require mathematical and reasoning abilities, knowledge of computerized systems, the ability to read blueprints, and/or the ability to write machine programming code.

To capitalize on the hiring rebound, prospective employees should seek specialized training and formal education; one of the best ways to accomplish this is to enroll in a technical training program such as the ones PTC offers. PTC is prepared to meet industry needs with skilled graduates from any of its machining programs: Precision Machining Certifiate; Computer Controlled Precision Machining Diploma; Computer Controlled Precision Manufacturing A.A.S. Degree; and, Advanced Manufacturing Technology -- Prototyping/Reverse Engineering Certficate. To learn more about these programs and how to apply, come for a Campus Visit!


Photo above: Robert Flannery, a a student in the Precision Machining Certificate program, works on a milling machine in PTC's machining lab.

Article adapted from: Singleton, D. (2011, April 29). Manufacturers are hiring again; what skills are they looking for? Software Advice . Retrieved May 24, 2011 from http://www.softwareadvice.com/articles/manufacturing/manufacturers-skills-in-demand-1042911/.

New ACCUPLACER Prize Patrol program in place

For PTC applicants, part of the application process is to take the ACCUPLACER assessment test. The ACCUPLACER test measures a student's level of ability in three areas: reading, writing/sentence skills, and math. Depending on the test results, applicants may be placed directly in college-level courses at the outset of their college career, or they may be required to take foundations courses to help prepare them for the required college courses they must take later.

Erin White, Director of the Academic Skills Center at PTC and a member of PTC's Retention Committee explains the ACCUPLACER Prize Patrol, a new program at PTC, is the product of an idea born from the Retention Committee to encourage applicants to study and prepare for the test; by taking the practice test and preparing for it, applicants will win PTC prizes, but what's more valuable is that they will earn higher ACCUPLACER scores and possibly bypass a few foundations courses.

"We see and understand that applicants who score lower on the test are more at risk of being discouraged from even beginning at PTC," White says. "Also, for those students who are not discouraged right away and begin coursework in the foundations classes, and depending upon how many foundations classes they have to take before they even get into their programs -- that can become discouraging as time goes on," White explains. "What it comes down to is that, what originally was a two-year plan for a student may become a three-year plan including the foundations courses, and unfortunately, that sometimes is enough to discourage a student from continuing and finishing," White adds.

The ACCUPLACER Prize Patrol program rewards applicants for preparing for the ACCUPLACER. "When applicants report for the ACCUPLACER, they just have to bring in a printout of their practice results, and we will give them a prize -- a PTC bumper sticker. Plus, if they specifically practice the math portion, they will be entered into a drawing for a second, more valuable bonus prize," White explains.

Applicants should visit these sites to practice the ACCUPLACER:
• http://demo-test.accuplacer-test.com
• www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/accuplacer/
• http://algebrahelp.com/

Early childhood development program instructor recognized by MnSCU as "Outstanding Educator"

Pine Technical College early childhood development program instructor and advisor Melissa Felland recently was honored at the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees Luncheon at the annual Excellence in Teaching awards event. Felland was among 33 MnSCU faculty members, pared down from a pool of more than 8,000, recognized at the event for their contributions to student learning and success. Felland received an Outstanding Educator award; her award is the first for PTC in the program’s five-year history.

“Melissa is a truly great instructor, and we feel lucky to have her. We are all very proud of her and thrilled she was recognized today for her dedication and commitment to students and their success,” says Robert Musgrove, Ph.D., President of Pine Technical College. “It’s well-known at PTC that Melissa is admired and greatly respected by not only her students, but staff, faculty, and everyone on campus,” Musgrove adds.

Felland has been teaching at PTC since Aug. 2002 in the college’s early childhood development program, where she also serves as the department chair. The program draws upon the latest research in child development and education and provides students with knowledge and skills necessary to work successfully with children and their families in a variety of settings and roles.

“I feel so honored to be a part of this,” Felland says. “While I’m proud to represent PTC in this way, to share the stage with so many of the state’s top educators is humbling,” Felland adds.

The awards program further pared down the system’s 33 outstanding educators and named four Educators of the Year from that pool. The Educator of the Year award is the system’s highest academic honor, and the 2011 winners are: Elizabeth Picciano of Central Lakes College; David I. Page of Inver Hills Community College; Pamela Anne Tranby of Riverland Community College; and Catherine Egenberger of Rochester Community and Technical College.

“I am proud we can highlight the depth of excellence of our faculty with these awards,” says MnSCU system Chancellor James H. McCormick, Ph.D. “The honorees exemplify what we value most in this system – high-quality teaching, service to students and community, and scholarship and professional expertise," McCormick adds.

Photo at top: Melissa Felland receives her Outstanding Educator award at the annual Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees Excellence in Teaching awards ceremony. Pictured left to right: MnSCU Chancellor James H. HcCormick, PTC Instructor Melissa Felland, MnSCU Trustee Duane Benson.

Congressman Chip Cravaack visits PTC

Last Fri., April 28, the state’s newest congressman, U.S. Rep. Chip Cravaack (R-8), visited PTC for a tour of the campus and to gain firsthand knowledge about PTC, its programs, its hi-tech facilities and how the college continues to provide access and serve East Central Minnesotans’ need for higher education. PTC President Robert Musgrove, Ph.D., led Cravaack and District Director Sheldon Anderson on a tour of the campus, highlighting PTC’s hi-tech labs and fully-equipped classrooms. The tour included a hands-on demonstration with simulation manikins in the college’s nursing department, a rapid prototyping demonstration in the college’s precision manufacturing department, and a virtual reality demonstration in PTC’s Johnson Center for Simulation.

During his visit, Cravaack was briefed by Musgrove on recent activities and achievements by PTC faculty and staff members, including Early Childhood Development Instructor Melissa Felland’s recent recognition by MnSCU as an “Outstanding Educator,” as well as Director of Facilities Steve Lange’s recent recognition by MnSCU, "Outstanding Service in Facilities Management." While visiting, Cravaack also learned about PTC's many strong partnerships with other institutions, including its vital role in the Healthcare Alliance, an organization comprised of several East Central Minnesota healthcare organizations and higher education institutions that work together to train and fill the state's healthcare workforce shortage with high-quality healthcare workers.

Photo at top: Guided by PTC staff member Terri Nelson, Congressman Cravaack takes the pulse of a simulation manikin in the nursing department. (L to R: PTC Director of Strategic Initiatives Stefanie Schroeder; District Director Sheldon Anderson; Healthcare Technology and Simulation Lab Coordinator Terri Nelson; Congressman Cravaack; President Robert Musgrove.)