Jobs in manufacturing can be fun and the work environment is fast-paced.
Those were among takeaways for about 100 students in grades 7 to 9 attending the inaugural manufacturing expo Monday, hosted by automotive supplier Faurecia Clean Mobility. It was held in conjunction with Manufacturing Day, a national effort to reverse a shortage of skilled workers.
Over the next decade, nearly 3.5 million manufacturing jobs will be added, said Hadi Awada, president of Faurecia Clean Mobility North America. However, 2 million of those positions will go unfilled due to a skills gap, he said.
“There’s a big shortage in manufacturing employment worldwide,” Awada said.
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Students from Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. and Brown County Schools had a chance to meet with major employers such as Faurecia, NTN Driveshaft, Cummins Inc., LHP Engineering Solutions and Toyota Industrial Equipment Manufacturing. Including parents and other adults, total attendance was about 300.
The expo had a high-tech flair, with virtual reality demonstrations and interaction with the GalacTech robotics team from Columbus North and Columbus East high schools.
Columbus residents Bill Hawkins and his wife Teresa came to the event with their two children, Cooper and Sydney, seventh-graders at Central Middle School.
Bill Hawkins, a civil engineer at Strand Associates Inc. in Columbus, wanted expose his children to the career opportunities available locally.
“There’s a lot of opportunities to see what’s out there in manufacturing,” Hawkins said.
Cooper Hawkins, who has expressed an interest in mechanical engineering, said the manufacturing expo helped him see what is available and credited his father in getting him interested in the field.
Sydney Hawkins said while she isn’t yet sure what she wants to do when she gets older, her mother said the expo provided some options for the girl to consider.
“I want her to know she doesn’t have to be limited,” she said.
John Jones, supervisor of training and human development with TIEM, said a need exists to get more people equipped with skills to do certain types of jobs such as welding.
“There’s not enough people trained to do these jobs,” Jones said.
TIEM has partnered with Ivy Tech Community College in Columbus through its Toyota Industrial Equipment Welding Laboratory to help train people in welding, Jones said. The laboratory was unveiled last month after TIEM made a $367,800 donation to the college.
Students also got a chance to learn about high school programs through the Columbus Area Career Connection (C4) and try out a welding simulator.
“That’s the next great frontier in American employment,” Jones said. “We’re trying to say, ‘Hey, manufacturing is a great choice.’ Look at all these companies who want you to be on their payroll.”
While there is a particular need for skilled workers in welding and assembling at TIEM, Jones said local manufacturers also have positions in other departments that students can consider.
“There’s a myriad of job functions within their walls,” he said.
At least one Faurecia employee used the expo to point out different career paths within the manufacturing industry a young person could take.
Faurecia chief engineer Mark Lambrecht brought his daughter Macy, an eighth-grade student at Central Middle School, to the expo so she could see the different types of jobs that are available.
“She has shown some interest in engineering,” said Lambrecht, who has worked at the company for 15 years.
Macy Lambrecht said she had initially wanted to be a welder, but is still considering her options. She would like to attend Purdue University, although starting at Ivy Tech is a possibility, she said.
Hands-on experience
Jacob Stansbury, learning and development leader with Cummins Inc., was working to highlight the company’s school-to-work program open to students who are at least 17. The program allows individuals to work a part-time job at Cummins Inc. and learn more about the company, Stansbury said.
The program provides opportunities in more than 200 positions across the company, including engineering, human resources and manufacturing, and gives them a chance to get their foot in the door with the region’s biggest employer, he said.
“As long as you’re applicable, we’ll teach you how to learn,” Stansbury said. “We can help define what type of job you want.”
NTN Driveshaft has partnered with Ivy Tech to help improve workers’ skills by offering $5,250 in tuition reimbursement, said Brent Winter, human resources senior manager.
Students work 20 hours a week and, in exchange, they are hired by the company after they graduate and eventually receive a pay increase, he said.
Winter said he wanted students in attendance to know they can make a full career if they enter the manufacturing industry.
“I just want them to know there’s an option,” Winter said.
Purdue Polytechnic Columbus highlighted the different degree programs it has available. Many students seeking a degree at the campus are already working for a local manufacturing company, Purdue Polytechnic Columbus director Joe Fuehne said.
Those individuals are also likely to stay local after they graduate and work at a firm, he said.
“You can do it and do it here in Columbus,” Fuehne said.
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6,400: Number of engineers working for the company in 30 research and development centers
2,000: Number of employees who work at Faurecia in Columbus
880: Total number of line assemblies each day
370: Number of patents the company has developed
17: Number of production sites in North America
Source: Faurecia
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"There’s a big shortage in manufacturing employment worldwide."
— Hadi Awada, president of Faurecia Clean Mobility North America.
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