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House Passes SECTORS Act with Bi-Partisan Support, Job Training Key to Short- and Long-Term Recovery
On July 19, the House of Representatives passed the SECTORS Act on a unanimous voice vote, with Members on both sides of the aisle recognizing the need to address skill mismatches in the labor market both as part of a short-term economic recovery strategy and for the nation’s long-term ability to maintain its position as a global leader. The bill’s passage generated significant coverage in the press, demonstrating that investing in the skills of America's workers and industries is an issue that cuts across party lines. The SECTORS Act was developed by National Skills Coalition with state and national partners, and lead sponsors Representatives Loebsack (D-IA) and Platts (R-PA) in the House and Senators Brown (D-OH), Murray (D-WA) and Snowe (R-ME) in the Senate. Co-sponsored by 20 Representatives and 6 Senators, and endorsed by 172 organizations, including 78 employers, the bill allows businesses, unions, the public workforce system, and education and training providers to develop and implement plans that target job training at the current and anticipated skill needs of industries within a geographic region. Read an op-ed from Minnesota manufacturer Eric Ajax about the importance of the SECTORS Act to his business and state. Read other media coverage.
Untitled 2
by vicki isakson.
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We have an exciting opportunity before us on August 24th - the election for the Kootenai Technical Education Campus (KTEC). The attached articles provide information about the new professional/technical high school to be built on the Rathdrum Prairie. You can also find more information on www.ktechigh.org
Manufacturing Jobs
by leandra burns.
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| Making Connections ... to Compete | for U. S. Manufacturing Report Release June 9, 2009 |
| MANUFACTURING RANKED # 1 INDUSTRY FOR
ECONOMIC PROSPERITY
Survey Reveals Wide Perception Gap between
Positive Views of Manufacturing's Contributions, Negative Views of Career Opportunities
NEW YORK, June 9, 2009 - Despite more than a year of bad news as the manufacturing sector continues to contract, a new annual index released today by Deloitte LLP and The Manufacturing Institute shows that Americans view manufacturing as the most important industry for a strong national economy. There is a wide perception gap, however, between the public's highly positive views of manufacturing's contributions to America's economic success and their negative views about pursuing a career in manufacturing.
The survey, Public Viewpoint on Manufacturing, which assessed public perceptions and understanding of a wide range of issues related to manufacturing, shows that the majority of respondents (71 percent) view manufacturing as a national priority with 59 percent agreeing that the United States manufacturing industry effectively competes on a global scale. These results fall in line with public perceptions that manufacturing plays a larger role in overall economic prosperity compared to the technology, energy, healthcare, retail, communications and financial services industries.
"The public's ranking of manufacturing as the top industry of importance to our economy, as well as its belief that U.S. manufacturers can compete globally, is very telling," said Craig Giffi, Deloitte LLP vice chairman and U.S. Consumer & Industrial Products industry leader. "Americans clearly still believe that manufacturing remains the backbone of the economy."
Most also agreed that America's manufacturing industries have a significant impact on their standard of living (81 percent) and on national security (68 percent). When asked what industry they would most want to have creating 1,000 jobs in their community, respondents listed manufacturing as their top choice, followed by technology, energy, healthcare, retailing, communications and financial institutions.
While Americans view manufacturing as the most important industry for a strong national economy, the Index shows that they are not pursuing careers in manufacturing. Only 17 percent named manufacturing as among their top two industry choices to start a career, and only 30 percent of parents said they would encourage their children to pursue jobs in manufacturing.
"These are jobs Americans want for their friends and neighbors - but not for themselves or their family members," said Giffi. "America's belief that manufacturing jobs are not clean, safe or interesting may have been accurate at one time, but it's no longer the case."
"This survey sheds light on a massive disconnect we are facing in manufacturing," said Emily DeRocco, president of The Manufacturing Institute. "People have an outdated image of manufacturing and the career opportunities available. Cutting-edge technology has transformed manufacturing in ways that are hard to imagine if you haven't visited a factory lately. Jobs now require postsecondary education, skills certification and credentials across a broad range of high-quality, middle class career paths. The reality is that manufacturers offer high-paying jobs and rewarding careers for American working men and women. Our job is to close the gap between perception and reality, which will help fuel the industry's growth and prosperity."
Respondents agreed with that conclusion. The majority (77 percent) believe that the United States needs a more strategic approach to develop its manufacturing base, and 74 percent said that the United States should further invest in manufacturing industries.
Finally, though Americans believe manufacturing is disadvantaged in the areas of corporate tax policies (46 percent), trade policies (45 percent) and general government business policies (45 percent), they are adamant on what gives the United States the upper hand. By far, the public sees technology use and availability (77 percent), skilled workers (74 percent) and energy availability (72 percent) as resources that give the nation its competitive edge. To view survey results go to Public Viewpoint on Manufacturing.
About the Survey
The survey was commissioned by Deloitte and conducted online by an independent research company in May 2009. The survey polled a nationally representative sample of 1,000 Americans across 50 states and has a margin of error for the entire sample of +/- three percentage points. |
The Manufacturing Institute is a non-partisan 501(c) (3) affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers focused on delivering leading-edge information and services to the nation's manufacturers through its Center for the American Workforce and its National Center for Manufacturing Research.
About Deloitte
As used in this document, "Deloitte" means Deloitte LLP and Deloitte Services LP, a subsidiary of Deloitte LLP. Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries. |
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NAM Skill Certification - Manufacturing
by leandra burns.
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| | Making Connections ... to Compete | for U. S. Manufacturing Announcement May 27, 2009 |
| The Manufacturing Institute Receives Gates Foundation Grant for National Skills Certfication System System Will Revolutionize Education and Training for New Manufacturing Workforce WASHINGTON, D.C., May 27, 2009 - The Manufacturing Institute (MI) has been awarded a $1.5-million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to comprehensively plan and implement postsecondary education programs that include the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)-Endorsed Manufacturing Skills Certification System. These integrated educational programs in community colleges will prepare students, particularly low-income young adults and transitioning workers, with entry-level skills necessary to succeed in advanced manufacturing careers. A postsecondary credential - two-year, four-year, or certificate - is a fundamental prerequisite for economic success. The current economic climate has only reinforced the importance of college. Adults 25 and older with at least an associate's degree have average earnings 30% higher than those of high school graduates without college. In the MI initiative, the worker credentials needed by the industry will be integrated into associate degree programs offered in community colleges. There are three primary benefits: Postsecondary education and training will become more engaging and meaningful to students who may stay in school and earn postsecondary credentials with real value in the workplace. The "stackable" industry credentials also provide more "on" and "off" ramps to postsecondary education needed in today's workforce. Skill certifications will lead to employment in high-quality, middle-class jobs in advanced manufacturing. The number of skilled new workers for U.S. manufacturers will increase.
"We need to engage kids in learning and we need to give them options," said NAM President John Engler. "Moving these industry-recognized skills certifications into community college programs will provide meaningful, relevant education for students and ultimately produce a highly skilled and mobile workforce - making us more competitive in the global economy."
Leading community colleges in North Carolina (Forsyth Technical Community College), Ohio (Lorain County Community College), Texas (Alamo Colleges) and Washington (Shoreline Community College) will be the first to implement the Manufacturing Skills Certification System.
"Community colleges have taken the lead in adapting their postsecondary education to meet industry needs in their regional economies," said MI President Emily DeRocco. "Successful integration of industry-driven skills credentials by these progressive community colleges will revolutionize postsecondary education, ensuring graduates have credentials with real value in the workplace." Community colleges enroll nearly half of all higher education students nationwide. With relatively low tuition and open admissions policies, they are a vital pathway to better jobs and higher earnings for many adults. Only about a third of those who enter a community college, however, earn a degree or certificate six years later.
The NAM-Endorsed Skills Certification System initially focuses on the core, basic skills required for entry-level workers in all sectors of manufacturing, from alternative energy and computers to aerospace and life-saving pharmaceuticals. The skills certifications address personal effectiveness competencies, foundational academic competencies, general workplace skills and manufacturing industry-wide technical skills. Entry-level science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills are included in the system.
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Untitled
by Robert Ketchum.
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Vocational Schooling versus Apprenticeship Training
National Career Readiness Certificate
by Robert Ketchum.
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As an attachment to this post, download the National Career Readiness Certificate
Community Colleges and The Economic Recovery
by leandra burns.
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2009 Hard Hats, Hammers & Hot Dogs
by Monette Esterly.
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Tagged with career readiness.
Per capita earnings 2nd largest in state in 2007
| | Original Article | | |
COEUR d'ALENE -- The average personal income in Kootenai County is growing, but at a slower pace than the rest of the country. But total income increased between 2006 and 2007 at a rate above that of the rest of the state and the nation.
Information released Thursday by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis shows the county had a 2007 population of 134,21, third in the state, and a per capita personal income (PCPI) of $30,719. This PCPI is 8th in the state, 97 percent of the state average of $31,804, and 80 percent of the national average, $38,615.
"We were having pretty strong economic growth, with people moving in," said Kathryn Tacke, labor economist at the Idaho Department of Labor. "It's not surprising."
In 2007 Kootenai County had a total personal income (TPI) of $4,122,828, second in the state and 8.7 percent of the state total.
Personal income includes wages and salaries, employer-provided health insurance, dividends and interest income, Social Security benefits and other types of income.
Jonathan Coe, president and general manager of the Coeur d'Alene Area Chamber of Commerce, agrees with Tacke that the 2007 numbers reflect a better time in the economy.
"It has stood us in good stead going into this economy," he said.
The 1997-2007 average annual growth rate of TPI in the county was 7.2 percent. The average annual growth rate for the state was 6.5 percent and for the nation was 5.4 percent.
Ada County had a TPI of $16,056,425, the largest in the state and 33.7 percent of the state total.
Earnings of persons employed in Kootenai increased from $2,439,710 in 2006 to $2,586,797 in 2007, an increase of 6 percent. The 2006-2007 state change was 5.5 percent and the national change was 4.9 percent. The county's average annual growth rate from the 1997 estimate of $1,247,974 to the 2007 estimate was 7.6 percent. The average annual growth rate for the state was 6.2 percent and for the nation was 5.4 percent.
Coe said the additional money coming into the area is good for the economy.
"The per capita increase is significant," he said.
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| | Making Connections ... | for U.S. Manufacturing April 2009 |
| | | The Innovation Imperative in Manufacturing | 
It is often said that innovation is the lifeblood of manufacturing, more than any other sector. The creativity in manufacturing often spills over into other sectors where our industry's inventiveness and creativity can transform transportation, services and even our nation's national security.
The Manufacturing Institute, The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and the National Association of Manufacturers have partnered to develop a broad research study that looks at both the business outcomes of innovation and government's ability to encourage and support innovation through public policy. The report, drawn from a survey of more than 1,000 senior executives, in-depth interviews with 30 executives, and a comparison of 110 countries and all 50 U.S. states, suggests concrete actions that states and countries can take to help manufacturing companies drive innovation. Copies of the full report, The Innovation Imperative in Manufacturing: How the United States Can Restore Its Edge, are available to NAM members for $10 each ($20 for non-members), with further discounts for bulk quantities. To order, go to the NAM Bookstore at The Innovation Imperative. |
Dream It. Do It. Launches in Minnesota |  West Central Minnesota became the latest region to launch a Dream It. Do It. campaign on March 20 in Detroit Lakes. The Minnesota state initiative is led by 360 Degrees Manufacturing and Applied Engineering Center of Excellence. The next scheduled launch is a bi-state campaign in northern Alabama and southern Tennessee. The Tennessee Valley Dream It. Do It. campaign launch event will be May 5 at Sci-Quest in Huntsville, AL.
Chautauqua County in western New York became the 17th region and/or state to join the national network of Dream It. Do It. campaigns. With a commitment to creating awareness of the outstanding careers in 21st century manufacturing, and filling the pipeline of skilled manufacturing talent, Dream It. Do It. continues to grow across the nation. For more information go to Dream It. Do It.
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Cost Burden Continues for U.S. Manufacturers | NEW STUDY DOCUMENTS COST BURDENS OF U.S. MANUFACTURERS AGAINST LARGEST TRADING PARTNERS This report updates the NAM's widely-cited 2003 and 2005 studies highlighting U.S. manufacturing's competitive disadvantage against nine major trading partners in structural costs associated with taxes, employee benefits, tort litigation, pollution abatement and energy. The latest update, by economist Jeremy Leonard, "The Tide is Turning: An Update on Structural Cost Pressures Facing U.S. Manufacturers" is available at The Tide is Turning. |
| The Manufacturing Institute The Manufacturing Institute is a non-partisan organization focused on delivering leading-edge solutions, information and services to the nation's manufacturers through its National Center for the American Workforce and its National Center for Manufacturing Research and Innovation. |
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| Upcoming Events | The Manufacturing
Institute convenes the Education Council on April 21-22 in Washington, DC. For more information see Education Council The Dream It. Do It. National Executive Council meets on April 28-29 in Washington, DC. For more information visit Dream It. Do It. 2009 Manufacturing Workforce Symposium: Pathways To Engagement in partnership with the National Defense Industrial Association. June 16-17, Crowne Plaza O'Hare, Chicago, IL. For more information and registration, go to Workforce Symposium. |
Institute Staff | Emily Stover DeRocco, President Jennifer McNelly, |
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Crapo to Hold Health Care Forums Across Idaho
by leandra burns.
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CRAPO TO HOLD HEALTH CARE FORUMS ACROSS IDAHO Seeks input from Idahoans on health care during April meetings Washington, DC – Idaho Senator Mike Crapo announced today he plans to chair health care forums in four Idaho cities this month to hear from Idahoans about health care reform and related issues before the Congress. Crapo is a member of the Senate Finance Committee, which has primary jurisdiction over a number of health reform issues as well as tax issues which may be under consideration as the Senate takes up health care legislation. Although he signed on as a co-sponsor to one bipartisan health care bill last year, Crapo said it is clear that many divergent ideas on health care reform will be considered before any final votes are made. Crapo noted Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Montana) has outlined three major topics for the health care discussions: delivery system reform, coverage and revenue issues. Crapo has planned forums in Coeur d’Alene, Lewiston, Boise, and Idaho Falls in the next two weeks to hear the comments from Idahoans in these three areas. He said more Idaho forums may be scheduled later as warranted. “Obviously in our economic situation, health care is an increasingly important topic for all Americans and it is timely to begin listening sessions on the issue as Congress begins this debate,” Crapo said. “While affordable health care coverage is even more critical for families during these difficult economic times, issues such as patient choice and access to care, particularly in rural areas, should remain top priorities.” Crapo plans to invite a wide range of industry stakeholders, including health care providers, patients, physicians, small businesses and other consumers to discuss the long-term sustainability of health care. “These forums will provide an opportunity for Idahoans to share their thoughts, ideas, concerns and priorities regarding health care reform in Idaho and America,’ he added. “I encourage everyone interested in health care to write or e-mail me their thoughts and attend these Idaho sessions.” Each session will last 90 minutes. Speakers will be limited to five-minute presentations; all interested Idahoans are encouraged to write Crapo about their ideas or attending the forum. Idahoans can contact the Crapo regional office in their area or submit comments to healthcare_forums@crapo.senate.gov. Crapo Health Care Forum schedule: Tuesday, April 14 Boise 6:00-7:30 p.m. Ada County Commissioners Hearing Room 200 West Front Street Wednesday, April 15 Coeur d’Alene Noon-1:30 p.m. Coeur d’Alene High School Auditorium 5530 N. 4th Street Wednesday, April 15 Lewiston 6:30-8:00 p.m. Lewis-Clark State College, Lewis Hall, Room 100 500 8th Avenue Friday, April 17 Idaho Falls 12:30-2:00 p.m. Idaho Falls City Council Chambers 680 Park Avenue To directly link to this news release, please use the following address: http://crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=311232
| Date:3/19/2009Information Contact 1:Bob Fick : (208) 332-3570 ext. 3628 : Information Contact 2:Alan Porter : (208) 332-3570 ext. 2126 : Population Movement Within Idaho Slows in 2008 Idaho counties lost less population to migration in 2008 than in any other year since the 2001 recession, according to new U.S. Census Bureau estimates. Idaho’s county population estimates show that from mid-2007 to mid-2008, only 15 counties saw a combined total of 1,100 more people move out than move in. That compared to 19 counties seeing a total of nearly 1,600 more people move out than move in between mid-2006 and mid-2007, 12 months that captured one of the state’s strongest economic periods in decades. Since then, the state economy has slowed significantly with unemployment rising and home values falling. The current national recession began in December 2007, one month after Idaho’s nonfarm payrolls hit their high point of over 658,000. Payrolls had dropped below 630,000 by this January. Overall, Idaho’s population grew by nearly 28,000 from mid-2007 to mid-2008, or more than 1.8 percent. Barely half that growth was the result of people moving in from other states or countries. That was the smallest share of total population growth credited to in-migration since 2002. During the 2001 recession and the following year, Idaho’s economy stalled but did not sustain an actual loss of jobs like most other states. While in-migration on the state level slipped to match natural population growth – births exceeding deaths – 26 counties reported more people moving out than moving in. The total was nearly 4,100. In 2002, outmigration totaled 3,500 in 22 counties even though the economy was still trying to break out of the slowdown. Another indicator that people were moving less in 2008 was the fact that 24 of Idaho’s 44 counties reported a larger share of their annual population change in natural growth rather than migration. During the peak of Idaho’s economic expansion in the mid-2000s, 19 mostly rural counties reported natural growth exceeding migration on population change. Eastern Idaho’s Teton County, which has attracted significant publicity for its quality of life, posted the largest annual population gain at 6.5 percent although total population remained below 9,000. Jefferson County, a growing part of the Idaho Falls metropolitan area, was second at 4.8 percent and Canyon County was third at nearly 3 percent. With the growth it experienced in 2008, Canyon County’s 40 percent increase in population since the 2000 census ranked 42nd among the nation’s counties with over 10,000 population. Only nine other counties had growth rates higher than the statewide rate. Seven counties lost population. The largest decline was just 0.8 percent in Bear Lake County and 0.7 percent in Valley County, which has been hit hard by the shutdown of the Tamarack Resort. But that was up from the five counties that lost population between mid-2006 and mid-2007, ending a string of annual declines in the number of counties posting population losses since the 2001 recession. County Population Estimates, July 1, 2008 | County | 2008 Population | Change from 2007 | % Change | Net Migration | Natural Increase | Idaho | 1,523,816 | 27,671 | 1.8% | 14,701 | 13,960 | Ada | 380,920 | 7,762 | 2.1% | 4,367 | 3,673 | Adams | 3,499 | -24 | -0.7% | -21 | 16 | Bannock | 80,812 | 889 | 1.1% | -59 | 958 | Bear Lake | 5,798 | -48 | -0.8% | -55 | 15 | Benewah | 9,352 | 128 | 1.4% | 112 | 17 | Bingham | 43,903 | 544 | 1.3% | 10 | 538 | Blaine | 21,731 | 286 | 1.3% | 122 | 169 | Boise | 7,504 | -38 | -0.5% | -50 | 27 | Bonner | 41,168 | 172 | 0.4% | 149 | 62 | Bonneville | 99,135 | 2,779 | 2.9% | 1,510 | 1,291 | Boundary | 10,962 | 116 | 1.1% | 83 | 45 | Butte | 2,751 | -5 | -0.2% | -28 | 30 | Camas | 1,126 | 30 | 2.7% | 15 | 17 | Canyon | 183,939 | 5,257 | 2.9% | 3,059 | 2,347 | Caribou | 6,826 | -13 | -0.2% | -55 | 44 | Cassia | 21,348 | 433 | 2.1% | 217 | 222 | Clark | 910 | 15 | 1.7% | 2 | 17 | Clearwater | 8,176 | -41 | -0.5% | -17 | -20 | Custer | 4,254 | 98 | 2.4% | 106 | -5 | Elmore | 28,997 | 133 | 0.5% | -213 | 363 | Franklin | 12,454 | 296 | 2.4% | 162 | 133 | Fremont | 12,551 | 50 | 0.4% | -88 | 154 | Gem | 16,513 | 58 | 0.4% | 37 | 37 | Gooding | 14,295 | 125 | 0.9% | 18 | 127 | Idaho | 15,448 | 133 | 0.9% | 117 | 5 | Jefferson | 23,860 | 1,083 | 4.8% | 696 | 378 | Jerome | 20,468 | 482 | 2.4% | 238 | 237 | Kootenai | 137,475 | 3,264 | 2.4% | 2,708 | 708 | Latah | 35,906 | 158 | 0.4% | -52 | 201 | Lemhi | 7,808 | 116 | 1.5% | 120 | -9 | Lewis | 3,594 | 29 | 0.8% | 22 | 11 | Lincoln | 4,503 | 30 | 0.7% | -22 | 65 | Madison | 37,456 | 482 | 1.3% | -320 | 798 | Minidoka | 18,645 | 136 | 0.7% | -21 | 163 | Nez Perce | 38,975 | 155 | 0.4% | 170 | 50 | Oneida | 4,130 | 38 | 0.9% | 12 | 29 | Owyhee | 10,877 | 114 | 1.1% | 49 | 76 | Payette | 22,966 | 277 | 1.2% | 120 | 160 | Power | 7,683 | 35 | 0.5% | -38 | 74 | Shoshone | 12,913 | 105 | 0.8% | 144 | -25 | Teton | 8,833 | 539 | 6.5% | 392 | 146 | Twin Falls | 74,284 | 1,443 | 2.0% | 965 | 556 | Valley | 8,862 | -63 | -0.7% | -87 | 47 | Washington | 10,206 | 113 | 1.1% | 105 | 13 | Source: U.S. Census Bureau |
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