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Workforce Development 46 MoldMaking Technology —— AUGUST 2016 By Matt Kirchner LAB Midwest surveyed manufacturers across the United States to help better define the skills gap and uncovered the qualities manufacturers are looking for in workers: the ability to follow work instructions; industrial engineering skills; understanding of manufacturing throughput, productivity, efficiency and lean manufacturing; and capabilities in CNC programing and operation, automation and robotics, industrial equipment operation, and welding. D uring a conference in late 2015 for technical college instructors, three manu- facturers were asked to define and share their perspectives on the "skills gap." Their responses varied widely. One presenter focused on the dearth of talent in one particular discipline, one discussed soft skills, and the third was unable to give a precise answer at all. To help better define this skills gap, LAB Midwest of Mequon, Wisconsin, a technical education product and service provider, sur- veyed manufacturers across the United States for their perspec- tives. This study, conducted this past February with 78 industrial employers representing a wide range of company sizes and end markets, concluded that manu- facturers are seeking but having a hard time finding a combi- nation of manufacturing-specific aptitudes and soft personal skills in their new hires. In terms of manufacturing-specific aptitude, participants in the study identified the ability to understand and follow work instructions; industrial engineering skills; and capacity for understanding manufacturing throughput, productivity, effi- ciency and lean manufacturing at the absolute top of the list. This was followed by capabilities in CNC programing and oper- ation, automation and robotics, industrial equipment operation, and welding. When it comes to soft skills, manufacturers seek dependable team players who remain drug-free and are safety conscious, respectful, hard-working, productive and punctual. Breaking Down the Skills Gap, Part 1 You can't solve a problem without defining it first. This two-part series will help define the skills gap and offer solutions for closing it. According to the survey, the positions that manufacturers find most difficult to fill are manufacturing engineers, fol- lowed by CNC programmers. Industrial maintenance techni- cians, automation technicians, electricians and welders are also positions in high demand. Based on these responses, the skills gap can be defined as the deficiency in the labor market of individuals possessing Image courtesy of Molded Dimensions Inc.