GREDF to Conduct Survey to Assess Area’s Workforce
March 2, 2012
[share] The Great River Economic Development Foundation in partnership with The Workforce Investment Board of Western Illinois has retained Growth Services, Inc., a workforce consultant, to conduct a survey of area employers. The goal of the survey is to evaluate the area’s workforce from the businesses’ perspective. The results will be used to identify and address workforce issues within the region and take steps to assure that the needs of area employers are being met, both now and in the future.
Local employers will be asked to provide information about their employee base, including the quality of the workforce, their experiences when hiring new workers, education, skill levels, wages, salaries, benefits, and commuting distances. The results will be used to generate an aggregate report and individual responses will remain confidential.
The report will also be used as an economic development tool to help both existing and prospective new businesses assess the area’s workforce.
The survey will be sent to employers electronically, and it is designed to be user friendly and take approximately 30 minutes to complete. “We encourage all those receiving surveys to participate; higher participation rates will enable us to better identify and address issues that are of importance to our employers,” says, Jim Mentesti, GREDF president.
IMEC Lean Manufacturing Overview with Simulation Workshop
February 28, 2012
[share] Meeting today’s manufacturing challenges demands a lean enterprise – streamlining product design and manufacturing by applying Lean Manufacturing principles, concepts and techniques. The primary focus of this effort is the continuous elimination of waste in the company’s business processes. Implementing Lean practices involves changing a work area or a business process to maximize efficiency, improve quality and safety, eliminate unnecessary motion and inventory, and save time and resources.
What Can You Expect from The Lean Overview with Simulation?
This interactive workshop combines comprehensive classroom instruction with simulation of a production facility. The basic concepts of Lean Manufacturing and the tools and methodology necessary to implement “Lean” on the shop floor are demonstrated. Participants assume the role of production workers, applying Lean tools to their individual workspaces and the entire product line. This learn-do technique, over four “shifts”, illustrates cause and effect relationships for each of the Lean tools presented.
Participants review methodology and lessons learned from previous shifts, deciding what and how to implement while working with realistic constraints such as available resources, cash flow and resistance to change.
Take Experience Back to Your Facility
Following the Lean Manufacturing Overview and Simulation, participants will have learned several new techniques to aid you in the Lean transformation on-site. You’ll be able to:
Differentiate between a “push” and a “pull” system
Identify the eight (8) wastes that must be eliminated to make the manufacturing processes Lean
Explain how those wastes reduce company profits
Understand the functions of a Kanban system
Make more effective use of the employee’s time following waste elimination
MARCH 15, 2012 8:00AM – 4:00PM
John Wood Community College
Workforce Development Center
4220 Kochs Lane, Room W136
Quincy, IL 62305
AGENDA Round 1 – Traditional Manufacturing 8:00AM
Round 2 – Standardized Work, Visual Controls Workplace Organization (5S) 10:00AM
Break – Lunch 12:00PM
Round 3 – Batch Size Reduction, Point of Use Storage, Quality at the Source 12:30PM
Round 4 – Pull Systems, Cellular/Flow Manufacturing, Takt Time, Work Balancing 2:00PM
FEES: $229 per person (includes lunch and all training materials)
REGISTRATION Register your company seat(s) at www.imec.org, or call IMEC at 888.806.4632.
INFORMATION Contact David Padgett, IMEC Business Development Specialist, at 618.581.8076 or DPadgett@imec.org.
New JWCC Welding Training Opens Pipeline of Skilled Workers for Area Manufacturers
[share] A new four-week basic welding training program at John Wood Community College is opening a pipeline for area manufacturers seeking skilled workers for dozens of open positions.
Because of the need to place welders in immediate openings, John Wood created a program to help manufacturers connect with prospective employees armed with basic welding skills.
“In just four weeks, students can have a valuable skill that is in huge demand,” Pam Foust, JWCC dean of career and technical education said. “We have a least four employers telling us they need employees with these basic welding skills, so this training can help get their foot in the door.”
The new condensed welding program includes a basic welding class and lab and a course in welding symbols and blueprint reading. All are taught by an experienced, local welding professional at JWCC’s Workforce Development Center at 4220 Kochs Lane in Quincy.
“John Wood is helping us build a qualified employment pool,” Tom Schilson, general manager of Manchester Tank said. “We need employees with the welding skills to hit the ground running. Having that basic skill set and building on it brings value to the company and the employee.”
In addition to welding skills, JWCC helps students prepare for employment interviews and offers advice on key soft skills necessary to secure a job.
Knapheide Manufacturing Human Resource Specialist Mike Dailing says that prospective employees need both technical and soft skills to be successful employees.
“We definitely need more qualified workers, but if a prospective employee doesn’t have the soft skills such as dependability, motivation and communication, it is unlikely they will have a career with any company,” Dailing said. ”If an employee doesn’t show up on time, has a poor attitude and doesn’t work well with others, knowledge of a particular field doesn’t matter much.”
Patrick Allen of Hannibal, Mo., will complete his JWCC welding certificate in March and already has a job lined up with Knapheide Manufacturing.
“I like the construction part of welding and grew up watching my grandpa weld in his garage,” Allen said. “I started out as a carpenter, and took a temporary job while going to school, but it’s pretty clear that there are greater opportunities for people who have advanced welding skills, specifically MIG welding.”
Allen says the new four-week basic welding course is a great for someone looking to get into the field, but continued education is key.
“The basics help you learn what welding is all about, but in the long-run you need to learn more than just what’s in the book, you need to apply what you learn,” Allen said. “If you take the basics, get a job and then come back for more advanced classes, I think you can have a great career in welding.”
Following the four-week training, students can add to their knowledge of welding by continuing their education at JWCC. By completing just three additional courses to earn a certificate, a basic welder could gain increased pay and responsibility depending upon their employer’s needs and qualifications.
Some companies send employees directly to the training or partner with JWCC for on-site courses. Quincy-based Konstant Products currently has two groups of employees seeking welding certification at JWCC’s Workforce Development Center and Westermeyer Industries offers JWCC courses for employees and high school students at its plant in Bluffs.
The first four-week welding session runs from February 13 to March 8. Students take classes Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 .m. Additional sessions will be offered March 12 to April 5 and April 9 to May 5. Information about how to enter the welding preparation program and possible funding is available at jwcc.edu/weldingprep or by contacting JWCC at 217.641.4329 or admissions@jwcc.edu.
Quincy Area Safety Council Sponsors OSHA General Industry Courses
June 15, 2011
[share] The Quincy Area Safety Council (QASC) will sponsor OSHA General Industry Courses July 18 – 21 at Vatterott College in Quincy. The OSHA 10-hour General Industry Course will take place from 8am-5pm Monday, July 18 – Tuesday July 19. The OSHA 30-hour General Industry Course will take place 8am-5pm Monday, July 18 – Thursday, July 21.
The OSHA 10-hour program is designed and intended to provide instruction on a variety of general industry safety and health standards to entry-level workers. The course emphasizes hazard identification, avoidance, control and prevention. Registration fees are $175 for members (with a $25 member discount for each additional student from the same employer) and $195 for non-members.
The OSHA 30-hour program is more comprehensive than the 10-hour general industry program. It is designed for anyone involved in general industry, especially personnel responsible for supervision, management, safety and the company’s employees. The course emphasizes hazard identification, avoidance, control and prevention. Registration fees are $425 for members (with a $25 member discount for each additional student from the same employer) and $450 for non-members.
Thomas Grey, CHCM, President, Grey & Associates, Champaign Illinois is the instructor. Tom Grey is a highly skilled trainer and coach in employer and employee development of safety performance. Tom has over 28 years of hands on experience as a former plant manager, safety manager, human resources manager and quality control manager in manufacturing, distribution and trucking industries.
Tom is a graduate from the University of Illinois and a US Army Veteran. He is a trained Industrial Designer, Humane Resources Generalist, Board Certified Hazard Control Manager (CHCM) and OSHA Outreach Trainer. Tom has been trained in the OSHA Outreach OSHA 501 General Industry 10-hour and 30-hour Trainer Program. He is also authorized to instruct for the National Safety Education Center and the OSHA Training Institute on the OSHA 511 General Industry Course and SHA 501 General Industry Train-the-Trainer Course.
The mission of the Quincy Area Safety Council is to improve safety in Quincy and the surrounding area through a network of safety-minded individuals acting to predict, prevent, and minimize accidents.
[share] Selecting the right foreign partner in a new country is a critical marketing decision. The right partner can lead to new sales and profits. The wrong partner may mean significant lost sales, poor branding and ultimately withdrawal from the market. For most companies, their first foreign partner is their agent or distributor. As that partner will be doing most of the marketing activities in the country, getting the right partner is crucial.
A firm must begin by detailing what it wants from the foreign partner. How much of the sales and marketing burden will be pushed on to the partner? If the exporter is planning to open a distribution facility, then much of the logistics issues will be handled by the exporter rather than the partner. Similarly, if the exporter is planning to open an overseas sales/marketing office, there are considerably less expectations from the partner.
Following are some of the issues to consider when choosing a partner. These will help identify the potential strengths or weaknesses of each partner as well as the opportunities and threats they face in the country and industry in which they operate. These same strengths and weaknesses need to fit with the strengths and weaknesses of the exporter, and the opportunities and threats need to match with the international goals of the exporter. This may be difficult to achieve, which is why the selection of a foreign partner is most commonly selecting the ‘best’ partner among a list of considerations rather then finding the ‘ideal’ partner.
Product Lines Currently Represented: One of the best indicators will be the product lines (brands) the potential partner already represents. This reveals a great deal about their experience, strengths and focus. There may be some lines that would be competitive with the manufacturer’s product and preclude any potential for a representation agreement. This is particularly important for exclusive representation agreements. Manufacturers want to avoid ‘line collectors’ – companies that try to represent as many product lines as possible in hopes that ultimately one or two will be huge successes.
Industry Focus and Technical Knowledge: Most agents and distributors focus on particular industries. Though their focus may not be a perfect match, it can be used as a guide. If particular technical knowledge is required, such capabilities will need to be identified.
Years of Experience: Manufacturers are sometimes attracted to relatively new agents and distributors that may be more aggressive given their relative need to grow and succeed versus other competitors in the market. On the other hand, a mature, experienced partner may have the needed contacts to ensure greater success for the exporter.
Sales Structure: This is a critical indicator. It describes how the foreign company sells and to whom. For example, does the distributor only sell to retail locations, but never to the end-user? Does the distributor sell to large accounts?
Current Customers: If research has determined that particular customers are crucial, such as government agencies, some clarification by the company needs to be made to ensure they will be contacted.
Customer Support: If training, parts distribution or product repairs will be necessary, determine what customer support functions the company is able to provide.
Office Locations: The location of the main office and any other offices will indicate the geographical sales focus of the company. It will help determine what part of the territory it can effectively cover.
The Illinois SBDC International Trade Center can assist in finding suitable foreign partners. We subscribe to databases that list foreign companies by industry and sales activities. The State of Illinois Office of Trade and Investment offers direct assistance in finding and vetting foreign partners, as does the US DOC Peoria Export Assistance Center within the U.S. Commercial Service. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for your next partner search. For more information, call (309) 677-3075 or email illinoissbdcitc@bradley.edu.
Tri-State Global Commerce Network
May 11, 2011
Networking Opportunity for Individuals & Organizations Interested in Global Commerce
[share] As a result of recent discussions with Dan Chevelier of Gardner Denver and John Macdonald of Broadcast Electronics there is currently an effort underway to gauge the level of interest in starting an informal professional organization to exchange ideas, host presentations, and address topics related to international sales, import and export compliance, international finance, and other aspects of global commerce, initially meeting in Quincy. The idea would be to meet in an informal atmosphere once a quarter to start. Speakers, mentors, and other educational resources are available.
Sample topics might include:
– Getting started in overseas markets.
– Finding and developing distributors overseas.
– International logistics and freight forwarders.
– Developing and documenting an Import and Export Compliance Program.
– Resources for developing international sales- public and private.
– International transaction payment method options.
– Benefits of using Foreign Trade Zones and Subzones
– Trade potential and characteristics of specific countries and regions.
Individuals or companies new to global commerce would be as welcome as seasoned international trade professionals. If you or someone in your organization would find this networking opportunity of value please email gredf@gredf.org with your contact information under the email subject line; Tri-State Global Commerce Network.
Once we have a database of interested individuals and organizations, we will propose a date and venue for a kick-off meeting. For more information, please contact Charles Bell at 217.223.4313 or charlesb@gredf.org.
Chemical Safety Workshop
March 8, 2011
Chemical Safety Workshop for Small Manufacturers to be held April 4 in Quincy
[share] With help from a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, Illinois Manufacturing Extension Center is providing in-depth training and technical assistance – at no cost – to enable Illinois manufacturers to recognize, prevent, and avoid workplace safety and health hazards associated with exposure to chemical agents. The workshop will integrate safety and health responsibilities, with management techniques and operational tactics.
COURSE INFORMATION IMEC safety experts will train your employees to recognize areas that may expose them to hazardous situations while they perform their job functions. They’ll learn:
• how working with or near hazardous materials can create special hazards
• to identify the hazards they may face
• to recognize signs or symptoms of exposure to hazards
• about the consequences of exposure to these various hazards
DATE AND TIME April 4, 2011
8:30AM – 12:30PM
LOCATION Blessing Hospital, 1005 Broadway
Quincy, IL 62301