Page 34 - MetalForming April 2014

Investing in Technology and the Workforce
to work and conduct themselves pro- fessionally while in the workplace.
“When these kids graduate from high school having participated in this program,” Fledderman continues, “they’re two semesters away from receiving their associate’s degree and on their way, should they choose, to launching successful careers in manu- facturing. If we can get two or three good kids every year to consider work- ing for BTD, that would be huge for our business.
“The upshot,” Fledderman summa- rizes: “Now we have a hand in attract- ing and developing our future work- force. That’s huge, and it should resonate with other PMA member com- panies, and the industry overall.”
Fledderman quickly shares the cred- it for launching the new and innovative co-op program with the school corpo- ration and Ivy Tech, as well as his broth-
er Joel and HR director Enzinger, who oversees the activities of the students while working at BTD.
“My role,” he adds, “is to help grow the program. We need more compa- nies to step up and participate, so we can bring in more students.”
Spreading the Word
Fledderman also seeks to share his message—of taking an active role in attracting the next-gen manufacturing workforce—with the broader metal- forming industry, via his time as PMA Chairman.
“We expect to take this co-op pro- gram to the state level in Indiana, to see if other school districts are interested in benchmarking our program,” he says. “And, I’ll work with PMA nationally to help develop a template, conduct webi- nars and in other ways to help guide other companies should they wish to
launch a similar program in their com- munity. Such an orientation program from PMA will help companies recruit and develop the talent needed to pro- vide for their future success.
“Workforce recruiting and develop- ment, along with showcasing what metalformers can accomplish with new technology such as 3D printing, servo presses and laser scanning, is where PMA will focus,” continues Fledder- man. “Company owners and managers may not feel they need new technolo- gy or talent today, but they soon will.
“We all have to look ahead and plan for the future. I want to change PMA for the better, just as previous board chair- men have done. In the last year or two we’ve had more participation from member companies than ever before in developing PMA’s strategic plan and identifying areas of focus. And I expect that to continue during my tenure.”MF
Schools Need Business Leaders to Help Develop Tomorrow’s Workforce
Helping Jody Fledderman and other Batesville, IN business leaders create the pipeline for future employees are Batesville High School principal Andy Allen and Batesville Community School Corp. superintendent Dr. Jim Roberts. “The co-op program that is now bearing fruit would be nowhere without the cooperation of Jim Roberts and Andy Allen,” says Fledderman. “They pushed for it, on behalf of the kids.”
Helping Jody Fledderman and other Batesville, IN business leaders create the pipeline for future employees are Batesville High School principal Andy Allen (right) and Batesville Community School Corp. superintendent Dr. Jim Roberts.
For their part, both Allen and Roberts feel fortunate to be able to learn from business leaders like Fledderman about the types of skills and attributes businesses need, so that they can develop the matching set of educational offerings.
“We view our role as developing talented individuals,” says Roberts, “to prepare them to work for the businesses in our community. And, to develop talent that can compete nationally and globally. Our product is the talent we can foster in our students—to think critically, solve problems, collaborate as well as work independently when necessary, and to be resourceful. We’re looking to provide practical experiences for our students to pre- pare them for what’s next. This new co-op program that Jody and the other business leaders helped launch is a huge step toward accomplishing that goal.”
It’s refreshing to hear Roberts and Allen say that not all kids should attend a 4-yr. college. Instead, it’s crucial, they both believe, that kids take some time to figure out what they want to do after high school, and then identify the paths that get them there.
“Our mentorship program,” says Allen, “houses nearly 100 juniors and seniors from a stu- dent body of 730. Its mission, and that of this new co-op program, is to allow kids to identify all of the routes they can take to successful careers, and expose them to those opportunities. We’re counting on our local businesses to help. Through this new co-op program, students can see how clean, safe, organized and professional manufacturing companies can be. And well-paying...what a great start to creating a pipeline for future employment in this area.”
Allen and Roberts share Fledderman’s interest in promoting this important program as an option for other schools throughout Indiana, and nationally. The key: that the kids and their parents, the business leaders and the school administrators all act as partners. The schools need to provide quality kids who have shown an interest in manufacturing and
engineering; the kids need to show up on time, be attentive and take direction; and the companies need to provide meaningful oppor- tunities to learn and grow.
Allen’s advice to manufacturing companies looking to similarly enlist the help of their schools:
“Assign a liaison at the company to champion the program and foster creativity. At BTD, that person is (HR manager) Carla Enzinger. That champion must focus on what’s best for the kids. We know that the world of manufacturing provides opportunities for our kids. Once we all believe that, we can become the voice for that.”
Both Allen and Roberts express their praise and appreciation for Fledderman and the role he has played in developing the new co- op program, as well as in finding other ways for BTD to give back to the community.
“We congratulate Jody on being selected to serve as PMA Chairman,” says Roberts. “He is very worthy of the position, and we know he will succeed. We also know that part of that success will be in helping build a bridge to the next generation of manufacturing workers.”
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