Page 16 - MetalForming June 2011

The Business of Metalforming
By Michael Bleau
Co-ops and Apprenticeships: Bring them Back
Apprenticeship programs are in short supply, which some would say is a result of the economic downturn, but even before the reces- sion these programs were being “down- sized” by many manufacturers. Where do we think we will find highly skilled
Michael Bleau has served manufacturing and consumer-related industries since 1986. Prior to forming Industry Scope, a strategic b2b and b2c sales and mar- keting consultancy, in 2002, he held executive positions for several automation and press
manufacturers. Michael regularly consults with manufacturing companies on strategic planning, sales and marketing, brand and product develop- ment, PR and sales-channel development.
Industry Scope | tel. 810/397-1429 mbleau@industry-scope.com | www.industry-scope.com
individuals if we are not willing to feed these channels? The money isn’t and shouldn’t be coming from Uncle Sam; the U.S. Department of Labor reports that the U.S. government provides a paltry $21 million annually to support apprenticeship programs.
Being one who is not confident in our government’s ability to manage, I pro- pose we cut this from the budget and place the responsibility squarely on busi- ness. But to do so, the business com- munity must recognize the value and invest in creating these types of pro- grams. The view from my glass house isn’t all that rosy; the PMA Education Foundation website lists just 22 com- panies, or 5 percent, as offering appren- ticeship programs out of a total of 447 manufacturing members and a mere 3 percent of all 809 associate and manu-
facturing members. Spending on a well-structured apprenticeship program is analogous to product R&D, without which we simply stop advancing.
Internships and co-ops are plentiful, but they don’t always deliver their full potential when the program is loosely structured. At worst, the business ends up babysitting less-than-driven students who are cruising for a few months’ pay and college credit. Taking advantage of university-fueled internship programs requires a dedicated management team that interviews and selects candidates with the same vigor as if they were hiring, and then structures a position, expected deliverables and a work environment to ensure mutual gains. Co-op programs like those provided by Kettering University (Flint, MI), formerly the General Motors Institute, create an extremely productive
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14 MetalForming/June 2011
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