Manufacturing Resources
Leadership
Manufacturing is a complex and competitive industry that requires decision makers to be well versed in a variety of disciplines: Engineering, Materials Safety, Operations Management, Project Management, Human Capital Management, Energy Efficiency...the list goes on and on.
As the largest employment sector in Western Pennsylvania, manufacturing shoulders the largest burden in the development of the Western Pennsylvania economy.
Our local leaders- CEO's, Managers, Stakeholders, are exceptionally aware that they drive the well being of not just their own company, but of many families in our region. Our leaders consistently work to educate themselves and to share their resources with each other for the benefit of the region.
Education
In our Grandfather's time, the skill set for many manufacturing jobs was "Can you stand for ten hours and lift 70lbs?" These good paying jobs were open to anyone with a will to work and a strong back.
Today, the demands of efficiency and competitiveness require the manufacturing worker to be highly skilled. Being great at Math is a start- but it's not the whole picture- modern manufacturing involves principles of Robotics, Advanced Computer Programming, Quality Control, Lean and Sustainability Theory and Written and Oral Communication Skills... the list gets longer with every business cycle.
The Manufacturing Community of Western Pennsylvania has consistently stepped up to work together to address the development of these skills in our local labor force. Donating their own time and resources, they have created spectacular programs like BOTS IQ, a strong chapter of the National Tooling and Machining Association, and strong involvement with STEM initiatives in local schools.
Policy
Our local leaders recognize that manufacturing is the key to a healthy middle class, and a healthy middle class is the key to a strong United States.
In the last few decades, manufacturing, and the middleclass, have borne the brunt of new policies meant to 'globalize' our economy. As a heavily Industrial region, Western Pennsylvania can tell you that without strengthening regionally, you cannot strengthen the economy 'globally.'
As a recent policy brief from the Economic Policy Institute wrote: "In the last decade, the competitive deck has indeed been stacked against U.S. manufacturing, and the predictable result has been growing trade deficits and enormous employment loss in this sector."