TRAINING & EDUCATION

 

Career Paths/Tech Schools

Toolmaking as a Career

Every product that we touch in daily life, a toolmaker touches first. Toolmakers build precise, complex tools used in high technology industries such as aerospace, medical, automotive, defense, construction, and consumer products.

If you are a mechanically minded, hands-on person who likes problem solving, designing and building things, accepting responsibility, teamwork, math and industrial science, take a look at what toolmaking has to offer.

Career Opportunities

  • Mentally challenging projects, each different from the previous one - toolmaking is not repetitious production work
  • Good working environment - today's tool and die shops are clean, safe, environmentally friendly and equipped with computerized machine tools; they are not the greasy, gloomy shops of yesteryear
  • Excellent advancement potential and the ability to move in to other career areas
  • The highest level of job security and the financial strength to provide your family with nice vehicles, a beautiful home and dream vacations

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Advancing manufacturing into the Global marketplace                                           

Training Reimbursement Yearend Report

The Advancing Manufacturing in the Global Marketplace (AMGM) grant has proven to be a successful partnership between Waukesha-Ozaukee-Washington Workforce Development, Inc. and the Wisconsin Precision Metalworking Council (WPMC). 

AMGM provided a flexible way for employers to build a higher quality incumbent workforce equipped with skills to use the latest technologies, techniques and software to produce a better product faster.   AMGM helped 247 people get training at 35 small to mid-size manufacturing companies (with 200 employees or less) across the region.  While the training received improved the job security and future employability of participating workers, it also better positioned participating companies to compete globally and locally.

AMGM funds provided reimbursement of two-thirds of employer expenses related to incumbent worker training on new manufacturing technologies and machining processes. Trainees and training needs were identified by WPMC employers. Eligible training providers included technical colleges, product manufacturers, company instructors, or private vendors.  This model afforded employers with choice, which assured that training investments would be driven by industry demand.

AMGM training costs totaled $421,181, with employer contributions amounting to $111,100, which translates to an average per person training cost of $1,705. Of course, training costs varied tremendously, from $75 on the low end to $8,640 on the high end.  Overall, the average cost of training accessed through AMGM was $1,620, which meant that the average cost to the employer was $427 and average grant reimbursement was $975. 

The AMGM training model provided tremendous flexibility, allowing employers the opportunity to select the type of training, time of delivery, and training provider.  Through AMGM, 247 workers upgraded their skills through 72 different types of training across 44 training providers.  The high number of training providers reflects, perhaps not surprisingly, that many companies preferred to use their own training providers.  Though there were a variety of training providers, there were some training areas that were frequently targeted.  The trainings accessed most frequently were:  Blueprint reading (17), Master CAM (Computer Aided Machining) (16) and ISO Standards (15). 

To date, 15 of the 35 WMPC employers (or 43%) who utilized AMGM funding reported on the value of that training.  One-hundred percent of employers reported an increase in competitiveness and market share at 4% or higher as a result of the training. They also reported an increase in productivity and efficiency at 5% or higher (100%), anticipated greater job security and improved retention rates of employees (100%), and anticipated business growth as a result of the training (100%).

WOW WDI developed and sent a letter to Senator Kohl which highlights the successful results of the AMGM training grant model with the hope that future requests for similarly structured training programs will be funded in the future.  

Article submitted by: Sara Caven, WOW Workforce Development