Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/415707
22 | /INSIGHT ON MANUFACTURING • November 2014 w w w.in s i g h t o n m f g . c o m NORTHEAST WISCONSIN MANUFACTURERS ARE no longer a best-kept secret. During the last few months, I have had numerous people throughout the country contact me to ask how our region is solving the skills shortage in manufacturing. Word is getting out that New North technical colleges have increased enrollments by more than 200 percent in several degree fields, including welding and machining, since the NEW Manufacturing Alliance formed in 2006. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) awards more manufacturing-related degrees and Fox Valley Technical College enrolls more adult apprentices than any other in the state. Remarkable, considering that Milwaukee and Madison are larger population centers. is summer I presented in Omaha at the Council of State Governments – Midwestern Legislative Conference with a representative from the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Solving the skills shortage is a paramount issue that legislatures are all facing. I shared with them the strength of the Alliance is that it is led by manufacturers working together, even though they are competitors. We in the New North are very fortunate to have leaders that join together to solve problems. e Industrial Cities study released by the Fed this year found the Green Bay region a vital manufacturing center because "Green Bay has strong and fully engaged leadership that has adopted appropriate strategies and can marshal the resources to address the economic development needs of the city and the region. ose resources are being organized to address the most critical challenge: building a skills pipeline that can support the development and growth of modern manufacturing businesses that build on Green Bay's manufacturing legacy." e benefit of having manufacturers World-class collaboration NEW Manufacturing Alliance's efforts attract national, global attention INSIGHT FROM ... ANN FRANZ, DIRECTOR OF THE NEW MANUFACTURING ALLIANCE The 4th annual Manufacturing First Expo and Conference brought over 800 visitors and more than 150 exhibitors. The event is one of many efforts by the NEW Manufacturing Alliance to build interest in manufacturing and create partnerships. M I C H E L L E P U L L A R A / F I R S T B U S I N E S S B A N K