Weekly brief: Expanding on the Success of a Regional Registered Apprenticeship Program

Bottleneck Overview

Manufacturing is facing a critical talent gap. We're not just missing skilled labor for today’s openings; the forecast suggests an even greater need for skilled workers in the coming years. This is especially true for roles like data analysts and semiconductor technicians. If we don’t address this talent issue now, it will affect our operational efficiency and capacity to grow.

Pilot Opportunity

To start chipping away at this challenge, we can implement a pilot program targeting one station in our existing workflows. Choose one part family that needs more hands or skilled workers. The goal here is to gauge how effective a focused training effort can be in bridging our skills gap.

Human Checkpoint

Before we expand this pilot across the shop, it's essential to have a human-in-the-loop check. Regular feedback from the operators involved will help adjust the training program based on real-time observations and performance.

Next Steps

To get started, take the readiness assessment to see if your station is primed for this pilot. Additionally, if you have insights on bottlenecks you’re facing with skill shortages, please reply to this note. Your input is crucial as we work to cultivate a robust workforce.

Source

For more information on the topic, check out the NIST Manufacturing Innovation Blog.