Category: Manufacturing
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Did You See Us at the ACC Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Technology Career Fair?
Guess what? Workforce Solutions received a golden ticket to Austin Community College’s Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Technology Career Fair! It was held at the Riverside Campus on March 21. This wasn’t just any fair; it was a bustling hub for students to connect with Austin’s local companies. The students got a taste of the opportunities that lay ahead. Priscilla Torres, community liaison for WFS Capital Area, talked with several students, sharing how WFS Capital Area can be their guide in their job search journey. “We’re not just any job search platform, we’re a community that hosts our own job fairs, designed to help students like you secure your dream role!” says Priscilla. -
Austin Manufacturing Labor Market Overview (Nov 2023)
Workforce Solutions Capital Area (WFS) regularly analyzes the regional labor market to identify the most in-demand industries and occupations.
So that Austin area businesses and organizations can better understand the local business climate, WFS published a new report offering offers local manufacturing employer perspectives, data, and innovative solutions to meet talent demand through our region’s industry sector partnership (the Central Texas Manufacturing Partnership, convened by WFS and Austin Regional Manufacturers Association).
️ What they’re saying:
- Rick Loofs, chief operating officer at Cangshan Cutlery: “The lack of qualified skilled talent in the area is a significant regional issue. Any one employer may be able to lure a candidate or two away from another company, but the problem is still going to exist for all of us. We have to work together across industries and in collaboration with education, government, and organizations like ARMA and Workforce Solutions to do just that – find solutions!”
Read the full report for more on the competition for talent in Austin’s fast-growing manufacturing industry and where to look for strategies to attract and retain that talent.
Grow your business through talent: Workforce Solutions is uniquely positioned to help employers of all industries directly connect with local job seekers and talent. We’re collaborative and can tailor services based on your company’s needs. Get started.
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Kwee Lan Teo rejoins Workforce Solutions Capital Area board of directors
Workforce Solutions Capital Area is the non-profit organization that serves to lead and govern the Austin/Travis County area workforce system. In this role, we are responsible for the planning, oversight, and evaluation of workforce development activities in the Capital Area. Simply put, we connect local people — youth and adults — to the most in-demand industries with quality jobs.
To help us bridge our region’s skills gap, we are excited to again welcome Kwee Lan Teo to our board of directors. Kwee Lan currently serves as Head of Workforce Development at Samsung Austin Semiconductor. In her previous role at the Austin Chamber, Kwee Lan had served on our board for many years.
Get to know Kwee Lan in our Q&A below, and connect with her on LinkedIn and to see her extensive experience in economic development and the advanced manufacturing sector.
Q: What is the value of connecting local people to local jobs?
A: The value is having people who want to stay in our region and grow with our community.
Q: How does upskilling benefit your industry?
A: Upskilling helps with retention and provides opportunities for people looking to grow further in the advanced manufacturing industry.
Q: How does your organization support growing Austin’s workforce from local programs and schools?
A: Samsung Austin Semiconductor has provided support to local schools in the form of site visits, career subject matter experts, post-secondary scholarships, internships and grant funding for industry-related programs
Q: How has skills training helped you develop your career?
A: I believe we learn new skills almost every day, however insignificant it may seem.
Q: If you could give a piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?
A: Learn more languages and play more musical instruments.
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The National Institute for Innovation and Technology (NIIT) and Applied Materials Establish Texas’ First Apprenticeship for Semiconductor Equipment Manufacturing
Today, the National Institute for Innovation and Technology (NIIT), the leader in developing the nation’s semiconductor talent pipeline, and Applied Materials, Inc. (“Applied”), the world’s largest semiconductor equipment group, announced an agreement to establish a Registered Apprenticeship Program designed specifically to strengthen the company’s technician and assembler workforce.
“Austin’s booming employer landscape and low unemployment rate contributes to the challenge of finding qualified candidates to fill numerous new roles, but Workforce Solutions Capital Area is responding to this growth strategically for the benefit of both the job seekers and employers in our region,” Tamara Atkinson, CEO of Workforce Solutions Capital Area, said. “With learnings from our existing apprenticeship programs, we have been able to creatively envision apprenticeships in other nontraditional industries, such as manufacturing. We’re thrilled to partner with Applied Materials and NIIT to continue growing these valuable opportunities.”
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How Skillpoint Alliance trains manufacturing workers in Central Texas
In partnership with Re:WorkNow — a rapid workforce development program administered by Workforce Solutions Capital Area with funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act — Skillpoint also plans to further encourage access to its program by offering students that weekly $200 stipend. That’s in addition to transportation assistance offered through bus passes and child care assistance.
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Workforce organizations help fill key roles for Samsung semiconductor in Austin, Taylor
The tech industry continues to grow in Texas, even during hiring freezes. One of the tech giants is expanding its reach in the Lone Star State, and trade jobs are at the top of its list.
Samsung is looking to add new facilities to its already-planned $17 billion semiconductor plant in Taylor with the potential to bring thousands of jobs to the area.
Skillpoint Alliance is helping to fill some of those roles.
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How Bearded Brothers Grows its Skilled Manufacturing Workforce
Manufacturing is a key industry in Central Texas, with many businesses producing everything from microchips to medical equipment. Nestled in the heart of Austin, you’ll find Bearded Brothers, an organic snack brand that takes great pride in manufacturing just as much as it delights in customer experience.
Bearded Brothers has produced organic snack bars for 11 years and today employs eight people. The company is building its talented workforce by relying on partners like Workforce Solutions Capital Area and no-cost training resources like the Certified Production Technician program.
To date, the company has hired three program graduates to join their production and fulfilment team, said Nick Meyer, plant manager. While on the job, the graduates apply their classroom learnings through the entire production process, including fulfillment, machine operating and demand planning.
“We’re proud to be firmly rooted in Austin since our inception,” Nick said. “With the pool of applicants from this program, we have been able to tap into more opportunities to employ local candidates with a demonstrated interest to learn and grow in the production of high-quality snack bars.”
Bearded Brothers’ relationship with Workforce Solutions began in October 2021 through an introduction by the Austin Regional Manufacturers Association. Both Workforce Solutions, Bearded Brothers and the association participate in the Central Texas Manufacturing Partnership to support the region’s manufacturing industry.
The Certified Production Technician program is a joint effort by the Central Texas Manufacturing Partnership, with local employers and training providers Skillpoint Alliance and Austin Community College as members.
- The program trains individuals in the core competencies for front-line, advanced manufacturing occupations, from entry-level to supervisor.
- The curriculum was developed with input from numerous manufacturing employers to pass on the skills for today’s critical roles, leading to an industry-recognized credential.
“It creates a great base of manufacturing knowledge that sets program graduates up for success in manufacturing wherever they land upon graduation,” said Nick. “This is an excellent pool of candidates that are a wonderful value add to the team.”
Nick added, “We have had a great experience with the program and look forward to continuing to work with the program!”
Workforce Solutions connects local people to local jobs. We can assist your organization with growing your workforce and strengthening the skills of your talent with a variety of resources, all at no cost to you. Learn more here.
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How MoboTrex Leveraged the Skills Development Fund to Train Supervisors at No Cost
To help build a highly skilled workforce in Texas, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) offers programs like the Skills Development Fund (SDF). This upskilling program provides site-specific, customized training opportunities for Texas businesses and their employees. In 2020, TWC launched the SDF COVID-19 Special Initiative to provide companies rapid training as the workforce shifted. One company seeking to increase skill levels and wages with the SDF Special Initiative is MoboTrex.
MoboTrex is a manufacturing and distribution company for traffic control products. The company is headquartered in Iowa and has facilities around the country, with the primary manufacturing facility in Austin. At this location, MoboTrex builds everything from traffic and pedestrian signals to cabinets for electronics. More than 100 people work at the Austin facility.
Leveraging SDF for virtual supervisory training
In 2020, MoboTrex applied for a Supervisor Training grant through SDF, with assistance from Workforce Solutions Capital Area and Austin Regional Manufacturers Association. Four employees graduated the training in February 2021. MoboTrex values internal training and continued to offer it to employees despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Staci Lange, Chief Operating Officer.
The doors for this opportunity first opened in fall 2020 when Staci was contacted by Amber Warne, Director of Upskilling and Advancement for Workforce Solutions Capital Area.
“Our busy season had just wrapped up and I thought this was great because we have a number of workers who can use this training,” Staci said. “We had stopped training when COVID19 hit, so I asked if we could do this later. Amber said yes and set it up. She was very helpful with the forms and made this a seamless process.”
The trainer contacted Staci to help schedule the training and prepare all materials in advance. “Initiating a training usually requires more administrative overhead, but this was seamless,” Staci said.
Upskilling teams at no cost
The supervisory training was held virtually over eight weeks—four hours a day, two days a week by Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center (TMAC). Topics included how to manage employees and what operations supervisors need to know day-to-day.
“The feedback I got from those who participated was positive,” Staci said. “They said they learned a lot.”
The pandemic had forced businesses like MoboTrex to pause employee development initiatives like supervisory training, but with SDF and assistance from Workforce Solutions, the initiatives could resume.
What would MoboTrex have done if this funding wasn’t available?
“We probably wouldn’t have been able to offer the training. We have a nice training facility onsite, but we shut down most of our training for social distancing,” Staci said.
“If you don’t have internal resources, or due to COVID you can’t use them in a regular manner, then the remote nature of this training will be particularly helpful. If you are onboarding your supervisors and they need training, then it is something to look at,” said Staci.
“So much of our training is an interactive process. We want to grow and develop our employees, not just check off a box,” said Staci.
“If other opportunities to upskill our team at no cost present themselves, we are definitely interested in pursuing them. We appreciate the offer: it was well received and a well-done investment.”
Upgrade your workforce’s skills with Workforce Solutions Capital Area
Is your organization seeking no-cost opportunities to sharpen your workers’ skills? Workforce Solutions can help! Visit our Employee Skills Training page to start and download your copy of the Upskilling Toolkit to learn how upskilling your employees can help develop your talent!
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Congrats to the 7 Graduates of Skillpoint Alliance’s Certified Production Technician Program!
Advanced manufacturing is a growing industry in Central Texas. For people who are interested in joining this industry and launching a productive career, Workforce Solutions Capital Area offers the Certified Production Technician program! Seven people participated in the latest cohort with Skillpoint Alliance and graduated on November 13, 2020.
The CPT program is funded by Texas Mutual Insurance Company and the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, and offered by Workforce Solutions Capital Area in partnership with Austin Community College, Skillpoint Alliance, and the Austin Regional Manufacturers Association.
Students complete 6 weeks of virtual training at no cost. Upon graduation, students can earn an industry-recognized certificate and become ready to join a growing industry!
“The most enlightening thing about this are all the different skills I learned—a lot of things I was interested to learn about but never had the resources to begin,” said Brian Schwaegel, who next plans to apply at a semiconductor manufacturer.
Charles Willy, who moved to Austin from Rwanda, has always liked technology. “I started working at a technology company in Austin, but in a warehouse. I was curious about working in the clean room and wanted to know how to do that kind of work. With this course, I have learned that,” Charles said.
Instructor Justin Frost said, “It’s fun to challenge people to learn all these new terms and concepts. I love to see people grow and learn and become qualified candidates in this industry.”
Samsung Austin Semiconductor is a large employer in Austin’s semiconductor manufacturing industry. Some of their training team helped lead the instruction of the CPT program.
“We are excited to help you learn how to enter an industry that is rich with opportunities and look forward to seeing some of your smiling faces here and putting the CPT skills you worked so hard to earn to task here at Samsung!” Lois Tiller, Learning Operations Supervisor- Technical Training at Samsung Austin Semiconductor, said.
As manufacturing employers demand more skilled workers, Workforce Solutions Capital Area and partners like Skillpoint Alliance will help make the connection with training programs like CPT.
“The connection to employment is why what we do what we do. We are always working to ensure you have plenty of options to learn new skills and find employment,” said Weston Sythoff, Partnership Manager for Skillpoint Alliance.
Are you interested in learning new skills or starting a new career in a different industry? Workforce Solutions Capital Area offers no-cost trainings in many in-demand occupations. Contact us to explore eligibility and training opportunities!