Quarter Three 2006—Issue Number 37

Nebraska Gov. David Heineman (R-NE) with Amber Mestl, intern, Phyllis Eisen, VP of The Manufacturing Institute, Tony Raimondo, CEO of Behlen Manufacturing

Dream It. Do It. Nebraska Launches with Support of Gov. Dave Heineman
Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman (R-NE) joined state business leaders, educators and others with an interest in the economic future of Nebraska September 8th at the launch of their state-wide Dream It. Do It. initiative. Heineman captured the essence of Dream It. Do It with his address."We have identified manufacturing as one of our target industries for growth in this state. Technology is a driving force in this industry and we must have the skilled workers needed to meet the demand for high-tech products. This partnership has the potential to help encourage more of our high school and college age students to consider the opportunities for a career in this high-tech field, and ultimately, encourage more of our young people to remain in Nebraska. We need to reach out to students, their parents and their teachers and show them there are exciting opportunities waiting for them in manufacturing." Joining the governor for the launch were NAM President & CEO John Engler, University of Nebraska President J.B. Milliken, The Manufacturing Institute President Jerry Jasinowski, Nebraska State Labor Commissioner Fernando "Butch" Lecuona III, Behlen Manufacturing CEO Tony Raimondo, and manufacturing student intern Amber Mestle. Dream It. Do It. will soon launch in several other U. S. regions. For more information go to Dream It. Do It.

New Publications on Training, Retention and Competitiveness of Manufacturing Workers
This spring the Center for Workforce Success released two new “how-to” guides for workforce professionals. These guides – third and fourth in the Center’s series "Filling America’s Jobs" – provide guidance, practical advice and clear steps for businesses interested in reducing their turnover and increasing productivity among their entry level and supervisory level staff. The Center has drawn examples of good practice from the NAM membership and has created real-world tools to help solve some of the most challenging workforce problems. These publications are free and can be obtained by contacting the Center for Workforce Success at Filling America's Jobs. The guides are a result of a grant to the Center by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

National Certification Program Established for Skilled Production Technician
A first effort to establish nationally-recognized credentials for qualified manufacturing production workers was announced September 25th by the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC). NAM President & CEO John Engler joined James McCaslin, president & COO of Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Leo Reddy, CEO of MSSC, Keith Romig of the United Steelworkers and other prominent industry representatives at the announcement. The credential will enable aspiring manufacturing workers to know precisely what advanced skills and training they need to work in today's modern manufacturing and will help employers identify qualified applicants. For more information go to MSSC Credential.

New Study Shows Structural Costs Continue To Rise Sharply
Structural costs for domestic manufacturers have increased from 22.4 percent to 31.7 percent since 2003 compared to nine major trade partners, according to The Escalating Cost Crisis, a new study by the NAM, The Manufacturing Institute and the Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI. “Every legislator should be concerned about this study and the growing cost disadvantage for manufacturers in America,” said NAM President & CEO John Engler in releasing the report. The new study by economist Jeremy Leonard of MAPI updates the landmark 2003 study, How Structural Costs Imposed on U.S. Manufacturers Harm Workers and Threaten Competitiveness. The study analyzed five structural, non-production costs: corporate tax rates, employee benefits, legal costs, natural gas prices and pollution abatement and is available at The Escalating Cost Crisis.

New Report out this Fall: Training Immigrants at the Worksite in Workplace Skills and English
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Vocational and Adult Education, the primary funder of English as a Second Language (ESL) programs, funded research by The Manufacturing Institute/Center for Workforce Development and Jobs for the Future (JFF) to explore potential solutions to the issues involved in integrating the immigrant workforce into the labor market. The research focused on individual manufacturing sector employers and what they do to train their non-English speaking immigrant workers. The report’s research and findings address the issue of how to foster sustainable, workplace-based ESL by seeking out and studying exemplary practices in the manufacturing industry. For a copy of the report, please e-mail Stacey Wagner.