Insight on Manufacturing

September 2015

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34 | /INSIGHT ON MANUFACTURING • September 2015 w w w.in s i g h t o n m f g . c o m from a career perspective. at battle recently bubbled to a new level of concern as 14 wood manufacturing reps from around Wisconsin gathered this summer at Fox Valley Technical College's S.J. Spanbauer Training Center in Oshkosh to devise a plan to address not only misperceptions, but an industry shortage. FVTC's Wood Manufacturing Technology program has witnessed 92 percent graduate employment during the past three years, so the training is mirroring demands for skilled woodworkers in the region. Moreover, program officials host an open house each fall for hundreds of high school students at the Oshkosh center for an experiential visit and discussions on a promising career outlook. So, with all of the outreach to high schools, impressive graduate employment rates and roundtable discussions, why can't the industry gain traction right up there with machining, welding and other areas of advanced manufacturing? I le the gathering with a newfound sense of appreciation for people who represent this industry. If societal marketing and advertising efforts keep showing the same old dark shops and low-tech machinery, then potential students and career changers aren't going to venture on that path. Conversely, efforts like tours to showcase innovative technology apparently aren't enough to change perceptions either. Several industry reps commented on FVTC's open house model for high school students. at outcome, along with the following suggestions, prompted a proactive, collaborative plan: • Companies should provide more industry tours to complement those at FVTC and other colleges that offer related training. • Engage more females into considering wood manufacturing WHILE TOURING A NEW woodshop for a local landscape construction professional, I was reminded how long it's been since the scent of Douglas fir hit me in the nose. It also reminded me of a sure bet in life — woodshops always smell good! What's not a sure bet is how the wood manufacturing industry is perceived. For years, wood manufacturing professionals have been battling stereotypes in their field as being dirty, low-tech and unrewarding Against the grain Industry reps collaborate to remove misperceptions about skilled woodworking INSIGHT FROM ... CHRIS JOSSART

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