September/October 2005—Issue Number 33

CWS Workforce Intermediaries Demonstrate Value of Employer Associations as Workforce Development Leaders
As the need for skilled workers continues to be critical for businesses, several NAM Employer Association (EA) affiliates are demonstrating how EAs can be leaders in addressing workforce challenges. The CWS helped six EAs design and implement initiatives serving a dual goal—meeting the needs of their members for skilled employees and improving the economic prospects of “hard-to-serve” populations. For example, the South Florida Manufacturing Association has helped its members receive $860,000 in public training funds to train more than 2600 employees. The California Association of Employers conducts a manufacturing Boot Camp with a 73 percent successful hiring rate. To read about these leaders, go to CW S Intermediaries.

2005 Skills Gap Survey To Be Released
November 22
According to the 2005 Skills Gap Survey, conducted by the Manufacturing Institute/Center for Workforce Success and Deloitte Consulting, the vast majority of American manufacturers continue to experience a serious shortage of qualified employees that is causing significant impact to business and the ability of the country as a whole to compete in a global economy. It demonstrates that today’s gap between talent needs and talent availability is worsening, despite significant investments in education and training initiatives over the past two decades. This report will show the gaps between the “what is” and “what needs to be” in workforce development and proposed recommendations for closing these gaps. NAM President & CEO John Engler and Dick Kleinert of Deloitte Consulting will release the full report November 22 at 10 a.m. at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. For more information about the event, contact Laura Narvaiz.

Dream It. Do It. Campaign Making an Impact
In the Pilot Region of Kansas City
Last February a Dream It. Do It. pilot campaign launched in the Kansas City region. Dream It. Do It. is a grassroots, economic development initiative dedicated to attracting young people to the great careers in manufacturing. An early outcome has emerged from the KC pilot. According to Gary Sage, president of the Business and Technology College (BTC) of Kansas City, the BTC experienced a 35 percent increase in enrollment in manufacturing-related courses this fall. While not able to attribute the increase directly to the Dream It. Do It. campaign, Sage said, "Dream It. Do It. has raised the visibility of manufacturing in the Kansas City region. It has elevated manufacturing as an acceptable career and has added legitimacy to it, making it easier for young people to make the decision to pursue manufacturing careers." Interest in Dream It. Do It. has been expressed from many re gions of the United States. The campaign is poised to enter the next phase and sites will be announced as each launches in designated regions. For more information, go to Dream It. Do It.

High Costs of Manufacturing Adversely Affect Investment in Job Growth and Training
According to a recent report from The Manufacturing Institute and the Manufacturing Alliance/MAPI, structural costs of manufacturing, including soaring health and pension costs, high energy and materials costs and misaligned exchange rates, are creating a profit squeeze in manufacturing. The negative impact of narrowing profits is reduced investment in equipment and R&D, job growth and training. For the complete report go to The Profit Squeeze for U.S. Manufacturers.

The National Summit on Competitiveness: Investing in U.S. Innovation To Be Held December 6
This National Summit, organized by the NAM, the Business Roundtable, and several other business associations, and supported by the U.S. Department of Commerce, will provide a high-level forum for business leaders to promote an action agenda of continued U.S. economic leadership in strengthening the nation’s innovation capacity—particularly in the areas of science and engineering research and education. NAM President & CEO John Engler and a select group of CEOs from leading U.S. companies along with a small number of state governors and university presidents are expected to participate in the event. For more information, contact Manufacturing Institute Vice President Bill Canis.