Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/80745
Breaking down stereotypes jobs. But just because one sector – for example, automobiles – struggles, that doesn't mean the whole industry is hurting, says Paul Rauscher, president of EMT International Inc. in Hobart. "Manufacturing is an up and down industry. D ONLINE: Click to see a video of EMT's Paul Rauscher talking about the future of manufacturing. technical colleges in the New North have been strong partners in the Alliance. In 2006, for example, NWTC had 26 welding grads. Five years later, aſter getting out the word about the need for welders and the industry's vitality, NWTC had 108 welding grads. "The message being shared by the Alliance that Northeast Wisconsin Technical College and the other showcases exemplary young adults working in manufacturing in a variety of careers from line workers to design engineers and managers. The magazine goes out to local technical colleges as well as school districts; there's also an online component designed to engage the more tech-savvy younger generation. "That publication changed our image quite a bit, The Alliance's Manufacturing All Stars publication " Franz says. Rauscher says. "It shows young people what a career in manufacturing is really like. " " Sometimes, one sector is doing really well while another may be slowing," he says. "You can't lump it all together and say manufacturing itself isn't doing well as an industry." For manufacturing employees, many have skills that can easily be transferrable between industries. "You also have those so-called 'soft' skills such as working well in teams and being flexible. In manufacturing, just because things are tough at your place doesn't mean that guy across town isn't looking to hire, take the skills you have learned at one place and take them somewhere else. " Ann Franz, coordinator of the NEW Manufacturing manufacturing is a vibrant, well-paying career is resonating with people, Alliance, says that while companies grab headlines when they slash jobs, not too much attention is paid as they add back jobs, unless it's on the massive scale. "When Marinette Marine said it was going to hire 1,000 people, that got attention, but manufacturers every day are adding workers – maybe it's just a couple here and there, but that adds up, " Franz says. Manufacturers, as a whole, are optimistic about the future. The NEW Manufacturing Alliance Vitality Index reported that 71 percent of area manufacturers predict 2012 sales will be higher than 2011 numbers. In addition, 43 percent of manufacturers also said they plan to add workers in 2012. For more on the NEW Manufacturing Alliance, visit http://www.newmfgalliance.org/ >>>>>>> >>>>>>> erent opinion of manufacturing than discussion about how manufacturing getting involved" instead of just complaining about the lack of qualified workers. "As a president of a company, he's very busy on his own, but he makes time in his schedule to stay actively involved with the Alliance. He's also willing to invest his time and resources to make a difference. company – and the entire manufacturing sector as a whole. "Without having skilled workers, we can't compete. We can't be at the table. Rauscher says the Alliance's success is essential to his " " www. insightonbusiness.com Franz credits Rauscher for "rolling up his sleeves and uring the economic downturn, it wasn't uncommon to see headlines featuring manufacturers cutting " Rauscher says. "You can