As the conversation about the manufacturing skills gap continues, more private and government coalition programs are springing up around the country to increase the number of skilled workers. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker has just announced a partnership between the state government, Moraine Park Technical College (Fond du Lac, Wisc.) and local companies to create a 15-week boot camp series as part of a new manufacturing skills academy, according to Fond du Lac Reporter.
Wisconsin companies Amerequip Corp., Brenner Tank, John Crane Orion and Mid-States Aluminum Corp. will donate some of the $705,647 needed to fund the Wisconsin Workforce Partnership Grant that will get the program started. Boot camps will focus on important manufacturing skills, such as the CNC Machinist Book Camp, which is scheduled to start in early September.
Classes will include visits from business partners, and there will be job placement opportunities. Placement in the classes will be open to people who are currently unemployed and have never worked for any of the four partner companies, or who are not currently CNC machinists.
Have you heard of local programs to help combat the skilled worker shortage? Please tell us in the comments section or tweet me.
