ADVANCED MANUFACTURING ADVANCED MANUFACTURING ADVANCED MANUFACTURING ADVANCED MANUFACTURING WORKFORCE TRAINING WORKFORCE TRAINING WORKFORCE TRAINING WORKFORCE TRAINING FOR THE 21 FOR THE 21 FOR THE 21 FOR THE 21 st st st st CENTURY CENTURY CENTURY CENTURY Manufactures Survey Manufactures Survey Manufactures Survey Manufactures Survey A Study for the A Study for the A Study for the A Study for the Workforce Workforce Workforce Workforce Development Program, Development Program, Development Program, Development Program, California California California California Community Colleges Community Colleges Community Colleges Community Colleges, Applied Applied Applied Applied Competitive Technologies Competitive Technologies Competitive Technologies Competitive Technologies Marshall Gartenlaub, Ph.D. Marshall Gartenlaub, Ph.D. Marshall Gartenlaub, Ph.D. Marshall Gartenlaub, Ph.D., , , , Director Director Director Director By By By By Victoria Koehler Victoria Koehler Victoria Koehler Victoria Koehler-Jones, Ph.D. Jones, Ph.D. Jones, Ph.D. Jones, Ph.D. Gus Koehler, Ph.D. Gus Koehler, Ph.D. Gus Koehler, Ph.D. Gus Koehler, Ph.D. Time Structures Time Structures Time Structures Time Structures 1545 University Ave, Sacramento Ca 1545 University Ave, Sacramento Ca 1545 University Ave, Sacramento Ca 1545 University Ave, Sacramento Ca 916 916 916 916-564 564 564 564-8683 8683 8683 8683 With the Assistance of With the Assistance of With the Assistance of With the Assistance of Holden Research Holden Research Holden Research Holden Research Spring, 2006 Spring, 2006 Spring, 2006 Spring, 2006
Time StructuresTime StructuresTime StructuresTime Structures 1545 University Ave, Sacramento Ca1545 University Ave, Sacramento Ca1545 University Ave, Sacramento Ca1545 University Ave, Sacramento Ca
916916916916----564564564564----8683868386838683
With the Assistance of With the Assistance of With the Assistance of With the Assistance of
Holden ResearchHolden ResearchHolden ResearchHolden Research
Spring, 2006Spring, 2006Spring, 2006Spring, 2006
Survey of Manufacturers
Two hundred manufacturing executives were interviewed by telephone and asked their opinions on rates of development and deployment of current and future technologies used in manufacturing. Respondents spoke to current and future training and educational needs in deploying and maintaining those technologies. This report includes the results of these interviews and an analysis of all responses (Attachment 2). In addition, an extensive list of verbatim comments is (see Attachment 3) in response to a question about the role that community colleges should take in recognizing and responding to new training needs. The survey findings are meant to assist the CACT with anticipating current and future curriculum and content development. Attachment 4 provides links to other state advanced manufacturing training programs. Attachment 5 provides LMID information about their projected manufacturing occupations and required skills.
Respondent Characteristics Participants in this study are mostly small manufacturers. Over three-quarters, (76%), employ 50 employees or less. Eighteen percent (18%) employ between 50 and 200 employees, and only 7% employ more than 200 employees. Most are designer-builders. Forty-two percent (42%) design and build a final product, 34% are job shop contractors. Twenty-four percent (24%) put themselves in a category, labeled "Other," which in many cases means they are both, job shop contractors and designers-builders. Most respondents (86%) produce an end product. Three-quarters (76%) of job shop contractors produce a finished product, and 96% of the final product designers and builders produce a finished product. Seventy-nine percent (79%) of the respondents who put themselves in the "Other" category also produce a finished product. Just over half of all respondents (56%) produce sub-assemblies or parts. Almost three-quarters (74%) of the job shop contractors produce subassemblies or parts, and about half (52%) of the final product designers and builders produce subassemblies or parts. Thirty-eight percent (38%) of those in the "Other" category produce subassemblies or parts.
Produce End Product? Produce Parts? Percent of Sample
that was: Yes No Yes No
Row or Column Percent
Job Shop Contractor
34%
76% 30%
24% 55%
74% 45%
26% 20%
R C
Design & Build
96% 47%
4% 10%
52% 39%
48% 45%
R C
42% Other 24%
79% 22%
21% 34%
38% 16%
63% 34%
R C
Total 100%
86% 100%
15% 100%
56% 100%
44% 100%
R C
Some participants report that they use major supply chains, but most do not. Sixty-five percent (65%) of respondents are not currently part of a major supply chain and almost everyone in that sub-group (78%) said they have no plans to become a part of a supply chain in the near future. Thirty six percent (36%) say they are in major supply chains, about half of which are national in scope (46%) and about half international in scope (54%). California will continue to be home. When asked "Will you be manufacturing in California in three to five years?" respondents overwhelmingly answered "Yes." Eighty-four percent (84%) were certain of it, 8% said "no" and 9% were uncertain. Among those who are moving, however, certain themes were universal:
• "Workman's compensation is way too high in California. Also, liability." • "California is not business-friendly." • "We are sending all our work to Mexico or China. We should be out by January." • "It costs too much to manufacture here."
Business Sectors Respondents belong to the following, overlapping business sectors1
Table 9: Business Sector Number Percent Electronics & Electrical Equipment 49 24.5
Information Technology, Computers & Related Hardware
Printing and Other Duplicating 5 2.5 1 Manufacturing companies are often engaged in two or more areas, such as: electronics and electrical equipment together with information technology; electronics and electrical equipment together with industrial machinery; industrial machinery together with chemicals and plastics; industrial machinery together with diversified manufacturing.
Furniture 3 1.5 Toys 0 0.0 Other 41 20.5
Total
308 100.00
The category "other" includes:
Aerosol products Appliance components
Beauty products Boats
Building construction Concrete mixer replacement
parts Convertible tops
Counter tops Door hardware
Drill and tap (“Other” Continued)
Electrical signs Engineering services
Financial services Fireplaces
Food Glass
Hammers and clamps Hardware for builders
Hot rod aftermarket suspension Lamp shades
Logistics-related products and services
Medical and sporting goods Medical devices, tools for surgery (3)
Medical optical devices Metal parts for consumer products
Metal stamping and tool and die Motor cycle products
Natural gas distribution products Optics
Refrigeration Semi-conductor laser
Sheet metal and subparts Subassemblies
Tile Trophies
Seven industry sectors were most frequent. To reduce the complexity of the above-going list, major questions and themes of interest to this study are examined by the seven most dominant manufacturing fields. Note the predominance of the first three fields: 1. Industrial Machinery (n = 52) 2. Electronics & electrical equipment (n = 49) 3. Diversified manufacturing (n = 42) 4. Information technology, computers, & related hardware (n = 26) 5. Aerospace (n = 24) 6. Transportation (n = 24) 7. Chemicals and Plastics (n = 23) Most Significant Technologies Current Technologies
Respondents were asked which of 15 technologies are most significant to manufacturing processes today. Lean manufacturing technologies such as quality improvement and problem solving, are the most significant current technologies for all manufacturing sectors combined (38% overall). These technologies were ranked as highly significant by respondents in each of the seven most prominent industry sectors. Chemical and plastic manufacturers rank them more highly than other sectors but aerospace follows, with diversified manufacturers and manufacturers of industrial machinery not far behind. Collaborative and/or concurrent engineering technologies are the second most popular technologies today (33% overall). Inspection shows that manufacturers of chemicals and plastics rank it highly. Manufacturers of industrial machinery and manufacturers of electronics and electrical equipment also give these technologies high marks. Again, each of the top seven industry segments mentioned this one. ISO 9000, and other related certifications are the third most significant technologies of the day (31% overall), especially in the eyes of aerospace manufacturers (one aerospace respondent said it is required) with transportation and diversified manufacturing following closely. The other five sectors also recognize the current significance of these technologies. Security for technology or IT software and data (28% overall) is also an area of current significance to all the manufacturing sectors studied. Electronics and electrical equipment manufacturers rank security directly behind lean manufacturing and collaborative/concurrent engineering. Other technologies of significance today, especially for the chemicals and plastics manufacturing sector, are: Supply chain management (23% overall and 35% for manufacturers of chemicals and plastics); equipment and software to reduce scrap (23% overall and 48% for manufacturers of chemicals and plastics); and energy use and energy conservation technologies (22% overall and 39% for manufacturers of chemicals and plastics). Only 16% of all respondents said manufacturing-related simulations and visualization technologies are highly significant for them today but 33% of aerospace manufacturers say these technologies are important. A respondent from another sector said they will be looking into simulations in the near future. Technologies that received the lowest significance rating for manufacturers today include: Enterprise management technologies (8% overall even though it was said that people are using it on a daily basis); MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) and related technologies (7% overall, but one respondent said it could be highly significant within the next few years); Green design, life-cycle manufacturing, cradle to grave design (low environmental impact) technologies (5% overall); product lifecycle
management technologies (4% overall, but it was said to be very difficult to project into the future); biotechnology and bioinformatics and related technologies (2% overall). None of the manufacturers in this study are currently working with nanotechnology-related manufacturing technologies. Future Technologies Respondents were asked to identify which of the same 15 technologies will be most significant to manufacturing processes a few years into the future. ISO 9000, and other related certifications, will be of most significance to all manufacturing sectors combined, but mostly for manufacturers of electronics and electrical equipment. Manufacturers of information technology, computers and related hardware gave these technologies their second highest rating, and manufacturers of chemicals and plastics gave it their third. Transportation-related manufacturers did not place value here. Manufacturing-related simulations and visualization technologies. These technologies are seen as growing in significance for transportation-related manufacturers, diversified manufacturers and information technologies. The aerospace sector values them now and will continue to value in the future. Lean manufacturing. These already important technologies will continue to be significant to aerospace manufacturers. Transportation, chemicals and plastics, and electronics and electrical equipment manufacturers expect these technologies to continue to be significant in a few years time. Rapid prototyping from 3D modeling. Manufacturers of industrial machinery and transportation-related products said the significance of rapid prototyping technologies will increase for them in a few years time and aerospace manufacturers say there will continue to be some significance here. But information technology manufacturers did not place value here, nor did manufacturers of chemicals and plastics. Technologies that received the lowest future ratings are, (from high to low2): equipment and software to reduce scrap (10%); security affecting technology or IT software and databases (8%); green design, life-cycle manufacturing, cradle to grave design and low environmental impact ( 8%); supply chain management (8%) although two respondents said it would be more significant for them in the future; collaborative and/or concurrent engineering (7%); energy use and energy conservation technologies (7%); MEMS (Micro-Mechanical Systems) and related technologies (7%); product lifecycle management technologies (6%); nanotechnology ( 5%); enterprise management (4%); Other technologies mentioned:
• 9100
2 Percentages represent the proportion of all respondents who said these technologies will be significant to them in a few years time.
• specialized electronic test equipment • PLC programming • Composite materials • R & D for car parts and tool-making • Thermo-coupling technology for the gas industry • C&IC programmers • Robotics
Expected Technological Change What is the expected change in the value or significance of manufacturing technologies in the near future? Technologies showing the greatest expected increase in value are:
• Manufacturing-related simulations and visualization techniques • Low environmental impact technologies such as green design, life-cycle
manufacturing, cradle to grave design • Product lifecycle management technologies • Nanotechnology • Biotechnology and bioinformatics and related technologies
Technologies with the greatest expected decrease in value are:
• Collaborative and/or concurrent engineering • "Lean" manufacturing such as quality improvement and problem solving • Security affecting technology or IT software and data • Energy use and energy conservation technologies • Supply chain management • Equipment and software to reduce scrap
Workforce Skill Needs Over all of the business sectors, 58% say they are currently able to hire technicians who are adequately trained for the job, but 39% say they are not. The transportation-related sector of manufacturing has the most difficulty: 54% report that they have trouble hiring adequately trained technicians. Half of the aerospace sector (50%) agrees that finding adequately trained technicians is not easy. Manufacturers of both, industrial machinery and chemicals and plastics also find it a challenge, with 44% and 43% respectively reporting difficulty. Expertise Necessary for Current Technical Job Applicants Participants were asked to identify which of 19 kinds of expertise job candidates must have to qualify as technicians today. Multiple answers were given. 3 The eleven most popular fields of expertise needed are: 3 Summary counts can be seen on the survey instrument, Appendix B, Question 29.
1. Information technology as applied to quality management 2. Information technology as applied to computer aided design 3. Information technology as applied to materials management 4. Information technology as applied to lean manufacturing 5. Order fulfillment 6. Computer integrated technology 7. Design for manufacturability 8. Information technology as applied to basic statistics 9. Information technology as applied to waste reduction 10. Product design 11. Information technology as applied to rapid prototyping and 3D modeling Participants from two manufacturing sectors -- industrial machinery and electronics and electrical equipment -- say all eleven of these subject areas are of current importance to them when they hire technicians. Diversified manufacturers agree, except that the field of computer integrated technology received somewhat less attention from them. Since answers were standardized within industry sectors and across areas of expertise we know that these 11 subject areas are popular with all manufacturing sectors studied, not just the three largest sectors (industrial machinery, electronics, and diversified manufacturing together make up almost 46% of the total sample). Here is more detailed information on these eleven fields of knowledge or expertise: 1. 55% of all respondents said information technology as applied to quality management is a necessary expertise. Over half of all respondents singled out this technology as one they would look for in hiring a technician. Fifty four percent rated it very important and 46% rated it somewhat important (these were the only two categories made available to respondents). The three manufacturing sectors that rated this subject highest are: industrial machinery; electronics and electrical equipment; and diversified manufacturing. 2. 53% said information technology as applied to computer aided design is necessary expertise. Again, over half of all respondents identified this as a "must have" expertise, with 51% of them ranking it very important and 49% of them ranking it somewhat important. Of all of the manufacturing sectors, this subject is most important to the same three manufacturing sectors, and in the same order: industrial machinery; electronics and electrical equipment; and diversified manufacturing. 3. 47% said information technology as applied to materials management is necessary expertise. 42% said this subject is very important and 58% said it is somewhat important. This emphasis is especially true for manufacturers of industrial machinery, electronics and electrical equipment, and diversified. 4. 37% said information technology as applied to lean manufacturing is necessary expertise. Within this 37%, half (51%) said this subject is very important and half (49%)
said it is somewhat important. Diversified manufacturers value this knowledge over other manufacturing segments but industrial machinery, electronics and electrical equipment and aerospace follow close behind. 5. 32% said order fulfillment is necessary expertise. Within that 32%, 64% say this knowledge is very important, and 36% say it is somewhat important. Manufacturing segments showing special interest are: Industrial machinery, diversified manufacturing, electronics and electrical equipment, and chemicals and plastics. 6. 30% said computer integrated technology is necessary expertise, and 58% of this group rated it very important while 42% rated it somewhat important. Manufacturers most interested in this kind of knowledge are: electronics and electrical equipment; industrial machinery; aerospace; and information technology, computers and related hardware. 7. 30% said design for manufacturability is necessary expertise. Within this group, respondents are split 50/50, dividing the significance of this knowledge between very important and somewhat important. Sectors showing most interest are: electronics and electrical equipment; industrial machinery, diversified manufacturing, and chemicals and plastics. 8. 30% said information technology as applied to basic statistics is necessary expertise. 36% of this group said it is very important and 64% said it is somewhat important. Manufacturers of industrial machinery rated this knowledge more highly than other industry segments did, but electronics and electrical equipment, diversified manufacturing, and information technology, computers, and related hardware also gave it high marks. 9. 29% said information technology as applied to waste reduction is necessary expertise for technicians. 47% say it is very important and 53% say it is somewhat important. Industrial machinery, electronics and electrical equipment, and diversified manufacturers rate it most highly. 10. 28% said product design is necessary expertise in fact 61% of this group said it is very important (39% said it is somewhat important). Manufacturing segments most interested in technicians that have this knowledge are: electronics and electrical equipment, industrial machinery, and diversified manufacturing. 11. 27% said information technology as applied to rapid prototyping and 3D modeling is necessary expertise. 35% said it is very important and 65% said it is somewhat important. Manufacturers of industrial machinery place special value on this knowledge. Electronics and electrical equipment, and chemicals and plastics come in second and third, respectively. Diversified manufacturers also see this field as important to today's technicians.
Other knowledge areas that received recognition are: Information technology as applied to logistics and distribution (22%); information technology as applied to supply chain management (21%); import/export (18%); information technology as applied to pollution prevention (17%); internet production coordination (16%); simulation and visualization (16%); sensors and imbedded products (12%); and security technology (10%). Technical Skills Needed in the Future The most important technical skills that technicians will need as manufacturing continues to evolve are: electronics, machines, mechanical skills, and vocational skills such as welding, instrumentation, and basic shop. Half of all respondents placed these skills among the top three most important technical skills for the future. Forty-seven percent of all respondents said computer skills, such as basic logic, IT, CAD CAM, programming, and knowledge of latest software, etc. are among the top three most important technical skills for the years ahead. Manufacturing skills such as assembly, production, manufacturing planning, quality assurance, statistical processes, and understanding of the electromechanical interface, were ranked third in importance as 22% put these skills in the top three, which means that more than one out of every five respondents mentioned them. More than one of six manufacturers interviewed said blueprint drafting, product and graphic design, and creative and artistic skills will be among the top three technical skills that technicians will need most. Engineering, which came up in 16% of the responses, was also mentioned by almost one in six.
Other technical skills most needed are ranked below:
• Math, specifically basic math, geometry, trigonometry and statistics (14%)
• Miscellaneous certifications, licenses, college or technical degrees (12%) • Problem-solving skills, abilities in critical thinking and interpretation, and
skills in planning and/or testing (8%) • Experience with hands-on training and practical lab experience (7%) • Chemistry, knowledge of chemicals, physics, materials, plastics (7%) • Hardware such as microprocessors, circuitry, robotics, automation, etc.
(7%) Language skills were also requested by more than one in eight respondents: Six percent said basic literacy such as reading, knowledge of English, and penmanship would be among the three most important technical skills needed, and another six percent said language skill development would be needed, specifically: good communication skills, technical language skills, writing and composition skills, bilingual, knowledge of Spanish and Chinese. Two people saw the need for business education such as ethics, structures, operations, import/export, finance, accounting, money management. See Appendix B, Question 22, for a more detailed presentation of these data. Personal Skills Needed in the Future
Table: Needed Technical Skills
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Electr
onic,
man
ine, v
oc.,T
rade
Compu
ter s
kills
Manufa
cturin
g skil
ls
Draftin
g, blue
prin
ts, d
esign
Engine
erin
gMat
h
Misc
skills
, tra
ining
Basic
empl
oym
ent
Table 10
With regard to personal skills, almost 40% said technicians of the future will need to understand basic employment issues. Some of the qualities mentioned include: attendance, work ethic, workmanship and productivity; desire to learn, self-motivation and self-direction; ability to follow directions and ability to work as a team. Over one in ten spoke to these same issues when asked what the technical skills might be (the question just above). Pooling responses, the number of times basic employment issues were mentioned tops 50%. Thirty percent said technicians will need language skills and 8% said they will need basic literacy. Combining those who think language and literacy will be the most important technical skill (above) with those who think language and literacy will be the most important personal skill, a whopping 50% focus on this issue. Six out of ten respondents recognized people skills as being among the top three most important personal skills that technicians will need as manufacturing continues to evolve. People skills, as applied to customer service, people/project management, leadership, and sales, was also mentioned 9% of the time when respondents were asked for the top three technical skills (above). The importance of this issue can be seen by putting answers to both questions together showing that one out of every four manufacturers would like future technicians to have people skills. Social skill is a related variable that is highly valued. More than one in eight respondents said technicians will need to be personable, cheerful, tolerant and even-tempered. One out of ten, said technicians will need innate or natural talent such as "brains," manual dexterity, common sense and aptitude. Even thought the topic was personal skills, many respondents could not resist seconding the nominations made above when they were talking about technical skills. Electronics, machines, mechanical skills, and vocational skills (22%), and computer skills, (20%) were emphasized. Other skills mentioned again include math (11%), manufacturing skills (10%), and drafting, blueprint, design (9%). For a more detailed presentation of these data, see Appendix B, Question 23. Company Support for Training Forty-two percent (42%) of respondents say their company reimburses community college tuition. Over half say they currently have no workers taking community college courses, but many do have student employees:
• 14.5% have 1 worker attending • 13.5% have 2 workers attending • 7.5% have 3 workers attending • 2.0% have 4 workers attending • 3.0% have 5 workers attending
• 2.5% have 6-8 workers attending • 3.5% have 10-20 workers attending
Recruitment Recent Hiring The question was asked, how many people have been recruited from two-year community colleges or from technical schools during the past two years? Over 57% said none, but others hired several, including one manufacturer who reported hiring 44 people and another who reported hiring 400. Most of the numbers are much smaller:
Future Hiring Experience. In the next two years, 65% of all respondents expect to hire someone with at least five years experience. In fact, over half of these expect to hire from two to five people who have five years experience. Across all seven business sectors, the groups doing the most hiring are electronics and industrial machinery. The group doing the least hiring in this category is chemicals and plastics. Certificate. In the next two years, 47% of respondents expect to hire someone with a certificate. Again, over half of them expect to hire from two to five individuals. The manufacturing sectors expecting to hire the largest number are industrial machinery and electronics. The group doing the least amount of hiring in this category is information technology, computers and related hardware. Two-year degree. Forty-eight percent of respondents expect to hire someone with a two-year degree in the next two years. Most of them will hire from two to five people. The manufacturing sectors expecting to hire the largest number are electronics, industrial machinery, and diversified manufacturing. Sectors expecting to hire fewest from this category are aerospace and information technology, computers and related hardware. Thirty-nine percent expect to hire someone with a four-year degree, and about half of them will hire between two and five people. Eleven percent expect to hire someone with an advanced degree. Again, about half of the 11% plan to hire someone with a masters degree or a doctorate.
Support Needed from the Community Colleges In closing, we posed a general open-ended question: "What can the community colleges do to better recognize and respond to your new technology training needs?" Twenty percent chose not to answer. Some said they have no new technologies that need training for. The remaining 80% (159 respondents) mentioned 289 themes, which could be grouped into one of the following 19 categories: 1. Teach machine, mechanical, and vocational skills such as basic shop, welding, electronics, industrial skills, the "trades," basic job skills (n = 49) 2. Teach computer skills (literacy, basic, CAD CAM, programming, latest software, etc.) (n = 33) 3. Keep up with current trends by using market research, advisory panels, communication with business, and so on (n = 25) 4. Provide miscellaneous course content (certificate programs, technical, etc.)
(n = 25) 5. Provide hands-on training and practical lab experience (n = 22) 6. We have no new technology needs (similar to item 8) (n = 19) 7. Provide math (basic math, geometry and trigonometry). Need "good math skills." (n = 15) 8. Keep doing what you're doing. The community colleges are doing well. They are providing what is needed. They are already doing everything necessary. (n = 12) 9. Provide language skill development (good communication skills, technical
language, and composition) (n = 11) 10. Teach manufacturing skills such as assembly, production, quality, statistics and processes. (n = 11) 11. Provide basic literacy (English, reading, penmanship and writing) (n = 11) 12. Teach basic employment issues (attendance, work ethic, motivation, team work
and productivity) (n = 11) 13. Engineering (many types mentioned) (n = 10) 14. Other - This category includes learning how to deal with policy makers and other skills outside the community college purview (n = 9)
15. Provide business education (ethics, structures, operations, finance, import/export)
(n = 7) 16. Drafting, blueprints, design (n = 6) 17. Work on student relations. Introduce trained students to them, train current employees, attend job fairs, develop internships (n = 5) 18. Teach people skill development (customer service) (n = 4) 19. Teach problem-solving skills (n = 4) Many respondents took this opportunity to reiterate what they would like to see in an employee. Others spoke specifically to what the community colleges can do to help them. A major recurring theme was the desire to see a strengthened communication network between college and business. Item #3 above says, "Keep up with current trends by using market research, advisory panels, communication with business, and so on." This sentence attempts to capture a broad desire on the part of manufacturers that colleges keep current by talking with them (one suggested running focus groups), developing outreach programs and using industry and advisory committees to gather information on industry-related developments. One interpreted the interview itself as market research and said they thought the colleges should ask business for their views more often. Another said, phone calls alone are not enough; "Get out and meet companies and see what they are doing." "Come in, sit down, and see what is going on." Another training need often mentioned -- the need for hands-on training and practical lab experience -- can be the practical outcome of networking with business. Internships and student conferences can be designed to tie student learning more directly to practical applications. The comment made by one respondent, "I hope they would be one step ahead of me," may be the most telling of the situation manufacturers find themselves in today because of the global challenge to California's manufacturing capacity and productivity; individual manufacturers hope to stay one step ahead so they can gain and keep competitive advantage. The respondent who said "I hope they would be one step ahead of me," hopes the community colleges can reduce expense and risk for him by knowing which technologies are on the horizon. Keeping a close eye on developing technologies and assisting with tech transfer to business -- accompanied by work force training -- will give him the leverage he needs to move ahead. Finally, there were many comments supporting the work currently being done by the community colleges. Several said specifically that the colleges should keep doing what they are doing; more is not expected of them. "They are doing a good job."
Statistical Summary of the Findings Prepared by Holden Research
WHAT MANUFACTURING TRAINING
SHOULD THE COMMUNITY COLLEGES BE GEARING UP TO PROVIDE?
This survey is from the Centers for Applied Competitive Technologies, Economic and Workforce
Development Program, California Community Colleges 200 companies were interviewed in this survey. (n = number of responses)
PART 1 – SIZE and BUSINESS SECTOR
Q1. Which of the following best describes what you do at your location: n % 1. We are a job shop contractor 68 34.0 2. We are final product designers and builders 84 42.0 3. Other 48 24.0 Total 200 100.0 Q2. How many people are employed at your location? n % 1. 50 employees or less 151 75.7 2. Between 50 and 200 employees 35 17.5 3. Over 200 employees 14 7.0 Total 200 100.0 Q3. Do you produce an end or finished product to be used by consumers or
industry? n % 1. Yes 171 85.5 2. No 29 14.5 Total 200 100.0 Q4. Do you produce subassemblies or parts to be used in further manufacturing?
n % 1. Yes 112 56.0 2. No 88 44.0 Total 200 100.0
Q5. Please scan down these categories and check the one or two areas that best describes your focus (Choose no more than two):
number times percent of 200 selected respondents (a) Electronics and electrical equipment manufacturing 49 24.5 (b) Information technology, computers,
and related equipment 5 2.5 (k) Aerospace 24 12.0 (l) Apparel Manufacturing 2 1.0 (m) Printing and other duplicating 5 2.5 (n) Furniture 3 1.5 (o) Toys 0 0.0 (p) Other 41 20.5
Total 308
PART 2 - TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
Do you work with or plan to acquire... number times selected
Q6. Enterprise Management 24 If selected, rate: n % Highly significant to us now 16 66.7 Will be highly significant if a few years 8 33.3 Total 24 100.0
Q7. Product lifecycle management technologies 19 If selected, rate: n % Highly significant to us now 7 36.8 Will be highly significant if a few years 12 63.2 Total 19 100.0
Q8. Green Design, Life-Cycle Manufacturing, Cradle to Grave Design (low environmental impact) 25
If selected, rate: n % Highly significant to us now 9 36.0 Will be highly significant if a few years 16 64.0 Total 25 100.0
Q9. “Lean” manufacturing (quality improvement, problem solving) 104 If selected, rate: n % Highly significant to us now 76 73.1 Will be highly significant if a few years 28 26.9 Total 104 100.0
Q10. Equipment and software to reduce scrap 65 If selected, rate: n % Highly significant to us now 46 70.8 Will be highly significant if a few years 19 29.2 Total 65 100.0
Q11. Supply-Chain Management 62 If selected, rate: n % Highly significant to us now 46 74.2 Will be highly significant if a few years 16 25.8 Total 62 100.0
Q12. Manufacturing-related simulations and visualization technologies 65 If selected, rate: n % Highly significant to us now 32 49.2 Will be highly significant if a few years 33 50.8 Total 65 100.0
Q13. Rapid prototyping – 3D Modeling 66 If selected, rate: n % Highly significant to us now 39 59.1 Will be highly significant if a few years 27 40.9 Total 66 100.0
Q14. Collaborative and/or Concurrent Engineering 80 If selected, rate: n % Highly significant to us now 66 82.5 Will be highly significant if a few years 14 17.5 Total 80 100.0
Q15. Security affecting your technology or IT (software, data, etc) 70 If selected, rate: n % Highly significant to us now 55 78.6 Will be highly significant if a few years 15 21.4 Total 70 100.0
Q16. Energy use and energy conservation technologies 57 If selected, rate: n % Highly significant to us now 43 75.4 Will be highly significant if a few years 14 24.6 Total 57 100.0
Q17. ISO 9000 and other related certifications 102 If selected, rate: n % Highly significant to us now 62 60.8 Will be highly significant if a few years 40 39.2 Total 102 100.0
Q18. Nanotechnology 10 If selected, rate: n % Highly significant to us now 0 0.0 Will be highly significant if a few years 10 100.0 Total 10 100.0
Q19. Biotechnology and bioinformatics and related technologies 12 If selected, rate: n % Highly significant to us now 4 33.3 Will be highly significant if a few years 8 66.7 Total 12 100.0
Q20. MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) and related technologies 28 If selected, rate: n % Highly significant to us now 14 50.0 Will be highly significant if a few years 14 50.0 Total 28 100.0
Q21. Did we miss one? (Specify): 18 people specified “other” technology needs. 18 See “comments” section of Appendix. If selected, rate: n % Highly significant to us now 17 94.4 Will be highly significant if a few years 1 5.6 Total 18 100.0
PART 3 - EMPLOYEE CHARACTERISTICS Technicians Q22. As manufacturing continues to evolve, what are the top three technical skills that
technicians will need most? q22codes Needed Technical skills (ALL-THAT-APPLY) 0 50 100 COUNT ADJ% ├─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴ Electronics,machine,voc,trade 99 49.7 ╞════════════════════ Computer skills 93 46.7 ╞═══════════════════ Manufacturing skills 44 22.1 ╞═════════ Drafting, blueprint, design 33 16.6 ╞═══════ Engineering 32 16.1 ╞══════ Math 28 14.1 ╞══════ Misc skills, training 24 12.1 ╞═════ Basic employment issues 21 10.6 ╞════ People skills 18 9.0 ╞════ Problem-solving skills 15 7.5 ╞═══ Experience,hands-on,practical 14 7.0 ╞═══ Chemistry,physics,materials 13 6.5 ╞═══ Hardware 13 6.5 ╞═══ Basic literacy 12 6.0 ╞══ Language skill development 11 5.5 ╞══ Innate talents 9 4.5 ╞══ No answer 8 4.0 ╞══ Other 5 2.5 ╞═ Business education 2 1.0 ╞ No new technology needs 1 0.5 ╞ TOTAL 199 100.0 ├─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬ 495 0 50 100 199 respondents mentioned 495 skills.
Q23. As manufacturing continues to evolve, what are the top three personal skills that technicians will need most?
PART 4 - WORKFORCE EDUCATION Q25. (Omitted due to ambiguity) Q26. Does your company reimburse community college tuition? n % 1. Yes 84 42.0 2. No 110 55.0 3. Other 6 3.0 Total 200 100.0 Q27. Of your current workers, how many are taking community college courses now?
Total 200 100.0 100.0 Adjusted n=93 Q28. Are you currently able to hire technicians who are adequately trained for the job? n %
1. Yes 116 58.0 2. No 78 39.0 3. Other 6 3.0
Total 200 100.0
Q29. When hiring new technicians, what type of expertise must the candidate have?
Number times selected Q29_2 Information Technology4 as applied to Quality Management 109 If selected, rate: n %
Very important 58 53.7 Somewhat important 50 46.3
Total 108 100.0
4 The surveyor added this phrase to the question. A small follow-up sample of respondents were surveyed to see if it changed their response if it was deleted. The response was the same.
Q29_3 Information Technology as applied to Lean Manufacturing 74 If selected, rate: n %
Very important 38 51.4 Somewhat important 36 48.6
Total 74 100.0 Q29_4 Information Technology as applied to Supply Chain Management 42 If selected, rate: n %
Very important 20 47.6 Somewhat important 22 52.4
Total 42 100.0 Q29_5 Information Technology as applied to Computer Aided Design 105 If selected, rate: n %
Very important 53 51.0 Somewhat important 51 49.0
Total 104 100.0 Q29_6 Information Technology as applied to Rapid Prototyping – 3D Modeling 54 If selected, rate: n %
Very important 19 35.2 Somewhat important 35 64.8
Total 54 100.0 Q29_7 Information Technology as applied to Pollution Prevention 34 If selected, rate: n %
Very important 15 45.5 Somewhat important 18 54.5
Total 33 100.0 Q29_8 Information Technology as applied to Waste Reduction 58 If selected, rate: n %
Very important 27 46.6 Somewhat important 31 53.4
Total 58 100.0 Q29_9 Information Technology as applied to Basic Statistics 59 If selected, rate: n %
Very important 21 35.6 Somewhat important 38 64.4
Total 59 100.0 Q29_10 Information Technology as applied to Materials Management 94 If selected, rate: n %
Very important 39 41.9 Somewhat important 54 58.1
Total 93 100.0
Q29_11 Information Technology as applied to Logistics – Distribution 43 If selected, rate: n %
Very important 21 48.8 Somewhat important 22 51.2
Total 43 100.0 Q29_12 Import/Export5 35 If selected, rate: n %
Very important 18 51.4 Somewhat important 17 48.6
Total 35 100.0 Q29_13 Internet production coordination 32 If selected, rate: n %
Very important 10 31.2 Somewhat important 22 68.8
Total 32 100.0 Q29_14 Product Design 56 If selected, rate: n %
Very important 34 60.7 Somewhat important 22 39.3
Total 56 100.0 Q29_15 Computer Integrated Technology 60 If selected, rate: n %
Very important 35 58.3 Somewhat important 25 41.7
Total 60 100.0 Q29_16 Simulation and Visualization 32 If selected, rate: n %
Very important 9 28.1 Somewhat important 23 71.9
Total 32 100.0 Q29_17 Order Fulfillment 64 If selected, rate: n %
Very important 41 64.1 Somewhat important 23 35.9
Total 64 100.0 Q29_18 Design for Manufacturability 60 If selected, rate: n %
Very important 30 50.0 Somewhat important 30 50.0
5 The phrase “information technology as applied to…” was not included here.
Total 60 100.0 Q29_19 Security Technology 20 If selected, rate: n %
Very important 5 25.0 Somewhat important 15 75.0
Total 20 100.0 Q29_20 Sensors and Imbedded Products 23 If selected, rate: n %
Very important 9 39.1 Somewhat important 14 60.9
Total 23 100.0 Q29_21 None/Don’t Know/Refused 11
PART 5 - FUTURE HIRING ISSUES
Q30. In the next two years, how many people do you expec t to hire in each of the following categories? Q30A Five years experience
PART 6 - BARRIERS & OPPORTUNITIES Q31. Are you currently part of a major supply chain? n % 1. Yes 71 35.5 2. No (Go to 33) 129 64.5 Total 200 100.0
Q32. What is the scope of your supply chain? n % 1. National 33 46.5 2. International 38 53.5 Total 71 100.0 Q33. Do you plan to become part of a major national or international supply chain in the near
future? n % 1. Yes 44 22.0 2. No 139 69.5 3. Can’t answer / Not applicable 17 8.5 Total 200 100.0 Q34. Will you be manufacturing in California in three to five years?
n % 1. Yes 168 84.0 2. Unknown 17 8.5 3. No 15 7.5 Total 200 100.0
PART 6 - SUMMARY QUESTION Q35. What can the community colleges do to better recogn ize and respond to your new technology training needs? Q35codes (ALL-THAT-APPLY) 0 50 100 COUNT ADJ% ├─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴ Machine, voc, trade skills 49 24.5 ╞══════════ No answer 41 20.5 ╞════════ Computer skills 33 16.5 ╞═══════ Keep up with current trends 25 12.5 ╞═════ Misc course content 25 12.5 ╞═════ Hands-on training, prac lab 22 11.0 ╞════ No new technology needs 19 9.5 ╞════ Math 15 7.5 ╞═══ Keep doing what you're doing 12 6.0 ╞══ Language skill development 11 5.5 ╞══ Manufacturing skills 11 5.5 ╞══ Basic literacy 11 5.5 ╞══ Basic employment issues 11 5.5 ╞══ Engineering 10 5.0 ╞══ Other 9 4.5 ╞══ Business education 7 3.5 ╞═ Drafting, blueprint, design 6 3.0 ╞═ Student relations 5 2.5 ╞═ People skills 4 2.0 ╞═ Problem-solving skills 4 2.0 ╞═ TOTAL 200 100.0 ├─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬ 330 0 50 100 Multiple response analysis: 200 respondents mentioned 330 themes.
Location of Respondent N % Buellton 1 0.5 Camarillo 6 3.0 Chatsworth 6 3.0 Chino 17 8.5 City Of Commerce 2 1.0 Claremont 1 0.5 Compton 1 0.5 Corona 26 13.1 Downey 1 0.5 El Monte 2 1.0 Fresno 1 0.5 Gardena 2 1.0 Glendora 2 1.0 Goleta 1 0.5 Hacienda Heights 1 0.5 Kingsburg 1 0.5 La Puente 1 0.5 Lake Elsinore 1 0.5 Lancaster 1 0.5 Los Angeles 4 2.0 Madera 2 1.0 Montclair 4 2.0 Montebello 1 0.5 Moorpark 1 0.5 Moreno Valley 1 0.5 Newbury Park 2 1.0 North Hills 1 0.5 Norwalk 1 0.5 Ontario 25 12.6 Oxnard 4 2.0 Pacoima 1 0.5 Palmdale 1 0.5 Paramount 1 0.5 Pasadena 1 0.5 Paso Robles 1 0.5 Perris 2 1.0 Placentia 1 0.5 Pomona 9 4.5 Rancho Cucamonga 16 8.0 Riverside 18 9.0 San Dimas 1 0.5 Santa Barbara 1 0.5 Santa Fe Springs 3 1.5 Santa Maria 1 0.5 Simi Valley 3 1.5 Sun Valley 2 1.0 Temecula 1 0.5 Thousand Oaks 1 0.5 Upland 6 3.0 Valencia 4 2.0 Van Nuys 1 0.5 Ventura 1 0.5 Westlake Village 2 1.0 Whittier 1 0.5 Total 200 100.0
Attachment 3: Time Structures’ Manufacturers Survey Respondent Comments
"What can the community colleges do to better recognize and respond to your new technology training needs?"
• "Nothing, it is all old technology." • Keep on top of what is going on in the state. • "Teach basic math, geometry, trigonometry, reading and writing. " • Deal with our politicians and rule-makers. • There aren't any colleges that teach about wire and cable so there is not much I
can do. It's a lost art and there are not that many knowledgeable people in this business.
• They are doing a fine job. • It’s hard to keep current. We’re buying all new machinery for technologies. • “Most of the workers are not highly paid. We have one person with an accounting
degree, and one person with an engineering degree, that is all we have." • "[They should keep doing] what they are doing now in community colleges. We
have no further needs from them. They (students) have to know how to weld, screw down floors, know about hydraulics and handle steel."
• The foundation. • "We need better communication with them. They should know workers need
basic composite lay-up, working with composite materials in the aerospace fields. They need to know general computing to access files, computer skills, knowledge of basic shop machinery, drill press, band saw, grinders. They come out of schools, colleges, and can’t turn on a band saw, etc, they don't teach in high schools either."
• We look for mechanical manufacturing experience. Basic job skills. • Quality and lean manufacturing. • Better educate students in literacy. • The local community college is doing very well. • "Market research, just like this call." • "Offer customer service classes that are not already available. Also, mechanical
classes. Maybe those are available, I'm not sure. Mostly, classes in the customer service area. Have common sense. Also, when we advertise for operators of mechanical machines, for people who have more technical knowledge of advanced machines, no one hardly answers those ads. People don't have that knowledge."
• Maintenance training for mechanical things and electronics. • "Machinists, assemblers, stockroom, and shipping." • Have more hands-on trade classes or skills. • "Language skills, computer skills, and people skills." • More hands-on computer-aided machinery. • I think that they are already doing [everything they need to]. • Give them (students) an understanding of product design and manufacturing.
• Emphasis on business structures. More emphasis on application of prerequisite materials.
• "Older technology. It's, pretty much, OSHA-certified, HAZMAT training. Operators union, crane certificates, class A license, teamsters."
• They (the community colleges) are doing the best they can. • Offer electronics testing and software. • Offer more computer classes. Teach them how to behave. • Stay current with the technology that is out there. • Basic computer literacy and hands on skills. That's it. • "In regards to manufacturing, [we need] a larger amount of people trained in
different processes." • "They need to be trained in mills, lay and CAD CAM machines for making
airplane parts. They might have to go to a technology school for training. They need to have a lot experience."
• Basic machine skills. Metal-cutting and know how to use a CAD CAM machine. • They need to learn the PLC program. The community colleges need to teach them
the whole spectrum. They need electrical and mechanical skills and know how to trouble-shoot each area or machine.
• "Continue training and communicating with employers in the area." • "Good math skills and the good communication skills, to speak well. Those are
the two main requirements." • We have the need for a good machinist with hands on experience and good skills
in general. • Offer more workshops to current employees. • "Offer more technical classes, such as tool and die." • Business ethics. Customer relations. • "Teach the students to have solid basics such as English, math, CC computer
programming and be able to read micrometer." • "Run focus groups." • I would hope they would be one step ahead of me. • "Make more electrical engineers, high voltage power supply." • "Keep updated with soft wear, motivation, creativity." • "Basically, get the knowledge of machines. I can't tell them what to do." • Good penmanship and know how to write numbers. • "Current electronics technology. Know how to troubleshoot and maintain, as well
as knowing soldering. Know the latest advancement in product electro-mechanical assembly.
• "More hands-on work. We have had people from the colleges. It really depends on the people, whether they know what tools are needed. Same for even knowing which tool is which."
• I guess they need to be more practical. Sometimes they (workers) need basic skills in business and math.
• "Machinist, welders, we need trade training." • "They need the latest technology that is in this field in the future. They have to
have a strong background with electronics, blueprints and soldering."
• "Use some of the modern technology computer software, the latest cutting machines."
• I think they are doing a good job in our trade or field. We do tool and dye and plastic molding.
• "Mt. San Antonio Junior College. They have all the equipment and electrical engineer and toolmaking. They need machine shops to have them learn. Most of the high schools have machine shop programs. They need that. More colleges need to get back to these basics, to learn these types of jobs. Kids need guidance.
• "Have basic fundamental math, communication skills, and team work. Also, continuous improvement in problem-solving skills."
• They are too slow to pick up on new training needs. • "Technicians need computers, need to know how to spell, need to design." • [We need] a design person for new battery powered lawn mowers. • "They need the work ethic and communications skills. Also, an engineering
degree." • "Quit spending money on sports, put it in the trades." • "More technical training in machine shop. For example, grinders, mills, lathes." • They don't seem to be training for what we are doing like punch presses and four-
slide machine. • Just offer to support the change in technology. Automation. • They need to get back to some of the basics such as the 3 Rs. • "Just what you're doing, an outreach program to manufacturing. I have a good
background with community colleges from Oregon. I intend to do the same thing here. Communications skills are very lax, in the workforce, today."
• It's really changing fast. Every year. • "More certificate programs. Hands-on computer use, in all positions. Those are
the major needs." • "We don't need to worry about that because we train on the job. You need to be
really good at math, physics and chemistry. No one is going to expect someone from a two year college to know everything. Unless you were going to be a doctor or something, then you better know it inside and out."
• "They need to get back to more technical schools, welding hydraulics, electrical. We need more of those schools."
• "We need to communicate with each other. They need to know about the programs we currently have. The schools in the area should be aware of our training."
• "CADCAM machinery classes. The government has these classes. Good mathematics skills, drafting, understand blueprint reading."
• Offer more education in plastics at the technical level. • Stay in touch with industry. Use industry and advisory committees. • Need to offer a wider range of classes that are more realistic. • "For the machine shop industry, implement better machine shop abilities and
better training." • More industrial training. • Practical lab experience.
• Gather information out of the industry. • I would have to say offer my engineering courses. • "We need more hands-on engineers, mechanical and electrical. No more business
people. Too many, already." • "They don't have the programs for our industry, in metal manufacturing." • "Part of it is not just making phone calls. Get out and meet companies and see
what they are doing. It will give them a good start. Get the word out about what is offered. We need more information from the community colleges. That's it, in terms of outreach."
• "Make America wake up and keep manufacturing jobs in the United States. No one will train workers in the states. To get five years of training on the job, they need to be trained. Our country lets the illegals take all our jobs and they send the rest to Mexico or China."
• "People that have CAD experience, who are familiar with it." • Composite training. • They should have lots of hands on experience in machining not only technical but
practical. • "Need better dialog between our company sites, to know what they really need to
do. They need to know technical skills. For example, a solid foundation in electrical and mechanical, and they will be employed."
• "Come in and focus on the type of manufacturing we do. They have general machine knowledge in colleges but they need to come in and see the whole concept of what we do here. They need structural engineering skills, CAD CAM machine knowledge, mechanical engineering."
• Teach people to come to work every day. • "We don't hire anyone from community colleges, unfortunately. China has taken
all the industrial business from the United States. We just train people on our assembly line work and box up stuff here."
• Be aware of the medical device manufacturing market and its associated technologies.
• "Come in, sit down and see what is going on." • Need more training in optics. • "Community college, at the engineering level [we need] analog technology,
programming technology. Digital and radio frequency engineering knowledge." • Talk with the manufacturing companies. • They already have a good program. We deal with them. They should continue to
stay current with technologies. • "Make their students literate, especially in words that are specific to the
technology industry. They need to know what the different technical terms mean." • They (the community colleges) are already doing it. • More hands on type of study. • More engineering training. Technicians have to be qualified for it. • Get in touch with the hr people so hr knows what experiences they have and what
classes they are taking.
• They could put the schools a lot closer to where people are. They could put more parking lots in.
• Have a really good program for chemistry and computer skills. • More technology for different programs. Most up-to-date design software.
Production statistical process control. More on import and export. They need to know about China and how to deal with that.
• They pretty much already offer what they need to in the community colleges that I am aware of.
• "I think your college is already there. They need to stay with industrial arts; that's mechanics and welding. They need to keep these programs going."
• "Lean manufacturing, 3D design." • Provide as many students as possible with welding experience. • The functions [we need] relate to accounts payable and receivable. Things that
deals with customer service relations and production. • "Our focus is on better material utilization, on industrial machine programming
for machines that have a CPU in them. They need to learn work force discipline, productivity and the key to producing the product in a small amount of time. Teach the scheduling cost control system."
• "Provide classes for people in the sign industry. For example, signs, electrical training with C145."
• Workers just need to know computers and how to use the robot welding machines. Most people know how to bend or cut metal. It's not hard to learn.
• Teach them better English and communication skills. • "Make sure people have a basic education, especially in math and English." • "The hardest thing to find in this town, are well trained programmers -- on the top
of the list. People in other areas, like electrical engineers, are not as difficult to find."
• "We do not have new technology needs. [Technicians] need to be able to read, do simple math and speak English. They will need welding skills."
• Give me people with some skills. • "Make fees affordable and give residence students a break in the cost. Good
student rates. Better organization. Keep the same books for each course." • More 3D CAD CAM. Higher levels of quality training. • Train wider medical technology. When people get their degrees they need to be
able to communicate. • "Give us people who have completed courses, introduce them to us." • Encourage students to take classes in finance. • "Math skills, blueprint reading." • Continue to stay ahead of technology. • Offer curriculum that would help the student move into the work force. • [We need] people that can sew and have common sense. • People with electrical mechanical ability. • Train them to be proficient in technical matters. They need both math and
computers skills. They could visit our plant and learn what they have to do. • Start training in power electronics and with labs.
• "Any kind of printing training would be beneficial." • "We need people trained for automotive technology. We need higher technical
training; there is a shortage for this. Computers skills. These all tie together." • "[Community colleges should] strengthen their operational programs with
business. We are open to internships for students to learn at our company. Hold some kind of student conferences so we could talk about what we do at our company."
• IT skills. • The hands-on education. • They are doing all they need to. • "We need CAD operations. The community colleges lack in math skills and
communications skills. The kids out of high school can't balance a check book at all. Our school system needs to be over-hauled; they pass them through anyway so the teachers get paid. All the kids do is watch TV or play games and they don't have ambition to learn or make a living."
• More hands-on training. • "They (workers) need to be able to use computers, have Excel knowledge and
math skills. That's all I can suggest. We train here." • "Again they do a good job teaching technical skills in community colleges but
graduates can't write, speak well or get along well with others in general." • "They need basic hand tools, what I said before and math skills." • More machinists and electricians.
