By: Ted Bauer
Turning new hires or training current workforce into effective employees requires structure, standardization, and planning. That means developing and implementing an effective training plan that includes ongoing skills development for the entire workforce. Your company’s success depends on it.
Does your company have a technical skills gap?
Would you like to improve your productivity and quality?
Have you been considering ways to get training for your workforce and have thought that your company was too small?
Have you looked for ways to fund training, discovered the Workforce Training Fund and then decided you didn’t have the resources to write the grant and do all the grant administration work?
If you answered YES to any of these questions, consortium training could be the answer. Workforce Training Consortium is an opportunity for your employees to attend our training workshops AND it does not require you to write the grant application or perform grant administration work.
How does it work?
For starters, MassMEP seeks companies that are looking for solutions to the opening questions that are within the same region. Once the companies are identified, minor up front planning takes place. Participating companies meet to select the training and workshops of greatest interest in advance. The courses are separated into three different categories: Operational Excellence, Workforce Strategies and Innovative Growth Solutions. Since MassMEP provides the shared training, we develop a consolidated grant and submit it to the Workforce Training Fund on the behalf of the participating companies.
Upon grant approval, course scheduling commences. Training is held at a location within your region making it easy for participants to get to. Depending on the number of consortia members and the grant specifications, training may be held at participating companies. Training will be conducted over a one to two year timeframe, again depending on what was laid out in the grant. MassMEP handles the ongoing grant administration responsibilities.
How much does it cost to join the consortium?
This training is paid for by the Workforce Training Fund, so organizations that contribute to the Workforce Training Fund are eligible to take part in WTFP grant programs. All for-profit companies in Massachusetts contribute as do some non-profits. The company’s investment is that grant funds must be matched dollar for dollar. The match is usually achieved by utilizing training-related costs such as wages and fringe of employees during training hours.
Successful results
MassMEP and the participating companies have been very successful with this convenient and effective model. Consortia companies have reported the following results: improved lead time, reduced cycle time, improvement in on-time delivery, improved productivity, reduced inventory, increased first-pass yield, increased sales, labor cost savings and more.
How do I get started?
Contact Lisa Derby Oden today at lisao@massmep.org
Also visit Commonwealth Corporation at www.WorkforceTrainingFund.org
MassMEP Presents Manufacturing Leadership Award to North Easton Machine Company
Worcester, MA – MassMEP, the Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership, is pleased to present the 2nd annual Jack Healy Manufacturing Leadership Award to North Easton Machine Company, Inc. North Easton is being recognized for their dedication to training and for building a skilled workforce.
“MassMEP is honored to recognize North Easton Machine for their dedication to advancing manufacturing in Massachusetts and for their workforce,” stated John Killam, President, MassMEP. “Their consistent emphasis on training programs for their employees has led them to a leadership position in Massachusetts for on-site workforce development. As a result, the quality of their product is world-class.”
The Manufacturing Leadership Award is in honor of MassMEP’s founding president, Jack Healy. Jack embodied the essence of manufacturing and best practices. His long career in manufacturing oversaw the expansion of several manufacturing companies and he was instrumental in promoting the importance of manufacturing to the Massachusetts economy.
“We are thrilled to receive the Jack Healy Manufacturing Leadership Award,” said Paula Martel, HR Manager, North Easton Machine Company. “We believe that to achieve workforce growth, we must employ a multi-pronged approach. We must find qualified trainees, upskill entry level staff, and grow our leaders. MassMEP is a vital partner providing programs that aid our employees in maximizing their individual potential and enhancing the overall success of our team.”
North Easton Machine Company was founded in 1964 by Donald Holbrook. Holbrook purchased his first Brown & Sharpe cam screw machines from his former employer, Easton Machine Products, when the two partners split and auctioned off the assets of the business. He set up shop in one bay of his two car garage at his home in North Easton, Massachusetts, and North Easton Machine Company was born. Working full time for Machine Craft in Whitman, Massachusetts, he ran his own machines after work until midnight most nights. His wife Marie would order material, tools, and accept deliveries during the day to support his nightly production. Donald eventually left his job and dedicated himself to the business full-time. The business expanded several times over the years to its current 15,000 square foot facility. Over the last 54 years North Easton Machine has evolved into a state of the art CNC turning and milling company. Currently run by Donald’s son, Jon Holbrook, the business has been supported by family members spanning four generations.
About MassMEP
Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MassMEP), part of the national NIST MEP system, is a leading resource for manufacturers. Committed to success in manufacturing, MassMEP transforms companies through solutions focused on innovative growth, operational excellence, and workforce development. The organization cultivates a sustainable community built on supportive relationships, idea sharing, achievement, and next generation manufacturing. For more information, visit www.massmep.org.