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Manufacturing companies are deeply concerned over the shortage of workers with the skills needed to deep pace with technology. The US Census Bureau reports that over half of manufacturers cite the need for a skilled workforce as the most significant barrier to technology adoption. According to a fall 1997 survey by the National Association of Manufacturers, 88% of manufacturers report a shortage of qualified workers in at least one job category. At the same time, the workforce is severely challenged by corporate downsizing and relocation, as well as by the need to keep pace with technology. To help respond to the gap between the demand for workers with specific skills and the availability of workers with those skills, this Skill Standards project was undertaken.
A three-phase process was undertaken to develop the Skill Standards:
1) Identify critical work functions, key activities, and performance indicators and identify occupational technical knowledge and skills.
2) Identify and level academic and employability skills.
3) Validate the critical work functions and key activities.
Two job clusters were identified:
Fabricator Critical Work Functions:
A) Prepare Materials, B) Fabricate Product; C) Finish Product; D) Operate Equipment and E) Maintain Records.

Assembler/Installer Critical Work Functions:
A) Prepare Participants For Assembly/Installation; B) Assemble/Install Participants; C) Set Up Equipment; D) Maintain Records.

For additional information contact: Terryll Bailey, The Allison Group 206-525-7175. Assessments and curriculum based on these Skill Standards are being developed by Pierce College.
For additional information contact Paula Norby, Pierce College 253-964-6776.

MANUFACTURING / ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

The 1990's saw significant new investment by manufacturing companies in technologies including hardware, software and the use of new processes, often based on team work and new organizational structures. These new production systems require multi-skilled production technicians able to deal with a growing range of advanced technologies. Jobs for workers without the skills to implement these technologies are rapidly disappearing. In 1950, roughly 60% of manufacturing jobs were unskilled. Today that figure is 30% and by 2005, the number of unskilled manufacturing jobs is expected to shrink to 15%. The vast majority (88%) of manufacturers report a shortage of qualified workers in at least one job category. These factors clearly indicate a need for improved training and education to help both current and entry level workers gain the requisite skills. This Skill Standards project was undertaken to address this situation.

A three-phase process was undertaken to develop the Skill Standards:

1) Identify critical work functions, key activities, and performance indicators and identify occupational technical knowledge and skills.
2) Identify and level academic and employability skills.
3) Validate the critical work functions and key activities.

Three job clusters were identified:

Technical Designer/Drafter Critical Work Functions:
A) Compile Design Information; B) Prepare Initial Product Definition; C) Generate Engineering Drawings.

Manufacturing Engineering Planner Critical Work Functions:
A) Create and Maintain manufacturing Plans and/or Routing; B) Develop and Release the Schedule; C) Investigate and Resolve Production and Planning Problems.

Tool Designer Critical Work Functions:
A) Generate Revisions to Tool Designs; B) Assist in the Development of Tool Designs; C) Order Tool Materials; D) Investigate and Recommend Solutions for Tool Problems: E) Investigate Requests for New Tools.

For additional information contact: Terryll Bailey, The Allison Group 206-525-7175.