White House Worker Training Initiatives Build on Efforts by Manufacturers to Expand Skilled Workforce

CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA) and the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) today saluted a White House initiative to expand U.S. manufacturing by recruiting and educating more skilled workers. The initiative mirrors ongoing efforts by NTMA, PMA and other manufacturing groups to develop more qualified workers for the metalforming, tooling and machining industries through two main avenues: actively recruiting new workers, and developing widely recognized credentials that signal their qualifications.

“It is essential to the future of our industry that we find creative ways to attract the attention of new workers”

Currently, there is an insufficient supply of skilled workers for U.S. manufacturing jobs despite the fact that jobs in the manufacturing sector pay an average of $22 per hour, compared to average service-sector job pay of $11 per hour.

"It is essential to the future of our industry that we find creative ways to attract the attention of new workers," said NTMA President Dave Tilstone. "That's why NTMA sponsors activities like the National Robotics League, which draws students to technical careers by partnering student teams with local manufacturers to build complex machines designed to do battle and test ingenuity – all while building high-tech skills. NTMA's Chairman, Grady Cope, is involved in another worthy effort: the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference. Over 5600 technical education students compete with one another using expertise they've developed in occupations like electronics, computer-aided drafting, precision machining, and more. Events like these let students know that there may be more rewarding career opportunities available to them than an average service-industry job."

"Alongside creative recruitment efforts, the key to developing more skilled workers in the U.S. is the use of uniform, widely-recognized and industry-driven credentials to demonstrate competency in the specific industry skills needed by employers," said PMA President Bill Gaskin. "PMA and NTMA have worked closely with the National Association of Manufacturers to devise a way to validate metalworking industry skills through the National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS) machining and metalforming certifications. NIMS certifications offer a concrete path for students to acquire or increase specific skills, while in turn providing a set of credentials that signal employers that they're able to perform to quality standards in a skilled machining or metalworking job. Both the worker and employer benefit as a result."

About NTMA:

NTMA is the national association representing the precision custom manufacturing industry, which employs more than 440,000 skilled workers in the United States. Its mission is to help members of the U.S. precision custom manufacturing industry achieve business success in a global economy through advocacy, advice, networking, information, programs and services. Many NTMA members are privately owned small businesses, yet the industry generates sales in excess of $40 billion a year. NTMA’s nearly 1,600 member companies design and manufacture special tools, dies, jigs, fixtures, gages, special machines and precision-machined parts. Some firms specialize in experimental research and development work.

About PMA:

PMA is the full-service trade association representing the $91-billion metalforming industry of North America. Its nearly 1,000 member companies include metal stampers, fabricators, spinners, slide formers and roll formers as well as suppliers of equipment, materials and services to the industry. Through advocacy, networking, statistics, the Educational Foundation, METALFORM tradeshows and MetalForming magazine, PMA helps lead innovative member companies toward superior competitiveness and profitability.

Together, PMA and NTMA formed the "One Voice" partnership to advocate for the interests of small and medium manufacturers throughout the U.S.

Visit www.metalworkingadvocate.org for additional information on PMA and NTMA.