Industry/Manufacturing Trends

November 30, 2004 Community Breakfast Comments

What role could NMC play in helping you address these trends?

Economy	Creating an interest/marketing the TC area and the machine tool trade to young people. Adopt an industry or take over an industry; build golf carts or motorcycles or lawn equipment. Training budgets are being eliminated; the college should help us find the dollars to train. Recruit and train manufacturing career oriented people.
Technology	Not only teach what latest technologies are but how to stay on top of and manage implementation of new technologies as they become available in the future. Can only compete with increased output thru technology. Need to focus on increased technology design in solid model software; NC program in solids. Establish modern CNC equipment in machine tool. Become a leader in technology. Help train/educate technical people: hyd., pneumatics, electrical, CNC, Machine, Machine Repair. Stay current (ahead) of software programs/versions. Keep up with the latest technologies and software.
Demographic	Need for highly skilled work force-higher percentage of students in college after high school. Strong need for local education because of expense of sending more students away to college; need for University-Community College partnerships to avoid reproducing high tech faculty locally. Encourage women and minority participation in tech fields.
Curriculum	Will be key in computer repair. Computer industry will need trained people to supply the demand. Seek new ways to deliver-motivate students; Help employers improve their employee base with short program type offerings. Find new ways to fill your classrooms with top level students. Focus on metal removal, new tooling geo, latest cut methods, high speed machining. Project management training. Teach Japanese manufacturing methods: lean, poke yokes. Become the leader in these methods. Partner with an Asian big three, preferably Toyota. I guess, teach Mandarin Chinese, I don't know how you beat those guys Help with interpreting automotive standards. Possible coursework with respect to data acquisition and writing custom code. Improving technology in labs, problem solving skills training, co-op training in manufacturing (local companies). Facilitate short training courses in conjunction with venders, professional organizations, etc. for students and professionals. Focus also on cross trade skills to equip students for small business where they may "wear a few hats." Keep construction trades growing. Auto cad efficiency is great but get those kids in construction trades; see how they build; experience is the key. CAD software training. Support staff training. Construction tech training Cross training for multiple skills. Work force need - construction management. CAD training specific to architecture. Continue trade/technical/certificate/industry/specific. Identify future technology needs in Grand Traverse area.
General	Acknowledge significance of minimized manufacturing sector. Identify future job market needs for GT area: construction, service, health, IT, resort (support); offer programs to provide competencies.
Convener Role	Develop resource list for industry to share expertise. Maintain relations with industry to learn latest manufacturing technology enhancements. Create a committee of industry/educators to seek large industry projects for TC area manufacturers to keep and bring jobs to our area. Become a regional leader in some dedicated technology metal forming; composites, etc. Provide access and coordinate advanced systems to allow local companies to communicate with offshore partners. Provide simple guidelines and training for safety and environmental coordinators at manufacturing companies. Continue/expand University Center opportunities for northwest Michigan. Expand beyond 5 counties to increase enrollments.

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