by Dianna Brodine, Plastics Business As my cab pulled up to the Las Vegas airport, I received a text telling me the flight had been delayed. I made it through security, grabbed a latte and settled in to do important things like update Facebook, play Candy Crush and watch a few episodes of "The West Wing." I had just spent three days at ANTEC in Las Vegas, and I needed a … [Read more...] about Flight Delay in Vegas: How a Radar Malfunction Leads to Conversation with Newest Members of the Plastics Profession
STEM & Training
Advancing the STEM Agenda
Plastics Business The manufacturing industry is not alone in its interest in promoting STEM to youth; the educational community also has taken note of the need. In June, a conference on STEM education convened on the campus of Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, MI. The event was sponsored by the university's Seymour and Esther Padnos College of Engineering and … [Read more...] about Advancing the STEM Agenda
Bringing STEM to Local Schools
by Dianna Brodine, Plastics Business The plastics industry news has been filled with dire predictions about the future of manufacturing without large-scale investments into the education of skilled labor to replace the aging boomer generation. Countless articles have decried the lackluster attitude of young people – and, just as important, that of their parents and school … [Read more...] about Bringing STEM to Local Schools
Evaluating Task Level Inventory
by Laurie Harbour, Harbour Results, Inc. It is understood clearly by manufacturers that finding skilled labor – or even good manufacturing labor – is challenging at best in today's market. Years of telling young people that manufacturing was not the place to work has set a misperception about these jobs in the US. Although companies will continue to look for this much needed … [Read more...] about Evaluating Task Level Inventory
Cross-Training Whiteboard Motivates Employees
Plastics Business A magnetic cross-training whiteboard system from Magnatag® Visible Systems, Macedon, NY, organizes and displays employee training, qualification and skill levels. The system motivates employees and provides a focal point for training and operations management. It organizes and displays a matrix of people, skills and qualifications, which can be tied to … [Read more...] about Cross-Training Whiteboard Motivates Employees