News Summary
Voss Manufacturing, a family-owned manufacturing company in Upstate New York, is addressing significant labor shortages as 30% of its workforce approaches retirement. In collaboration with Dream It Do It Western New York, they aim to inspire students to pursue careers in skilled trades. This effort seeks to create a sustainable pipeline of talent for the manufacturing industry. As the program expands into Erie and Niagara counties, there’s hope for a future that secures skilled labor and revitalizes interest in manufacturing careers.
Voss Manufacturing Steps Up to Tackle Labor Shortages in Upstate New York
In the charming backdrop of Upstate New York, a family-owned jewel named Voss Manufacturing is rolling up its sleeves to address a pressing issue: the shortage of skilled labor. Founded in 1967, Voss Manufacturing has firmly established itself as a leader in providing machinery for the heat exchanger industry alongside custom designs. But beneath the surface of their successful operations lies a challenge that could threaten the company’s growth.
With a loyal workforce of 110 employees, about 30% of Voss’s team is nearing retirement age. This situation poses a potential crisis for the company. Voss is seeing its seasoned workers leave at an alarming rate, with a staggering five workers exiting for every new skilled tradesperson entering the field. This imbalance emphasizes the urgent need for a robust pipeline of skilled professionals to not just maintain, but also enhance their capabilities.
Joining Forces with Dream It Do It
To counteract this challenge, Voss Manufacturing has formed a partnership with the innovative nonprofit organization Dream It Do It Western New York. This collaboration aims to cultivate a fresh wave of talent for the skilled trades that are so essential to the manufacturing industry. By acting as a bridge between education and manufacturing, Dream It Do It specifically targets students who might not be heading for college. This is particularly exciting for those looking for viable career paths without a traditional four-year degree.
Dream It Do It helps connect these students with potential manufacturing careers, providing them with insights into various trades and opportunities that await them. The program is all about engaging with students and educational institutions, ensuring they understand the abundance of rewarding career options available in manufacturing.
A Step Towards Expansion
Todd Tranum, the president of Dream It Do It, has recently announced that the program is expanding into Erie and Niagara counties. This expansion builds upon the successful groundwork laid in Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Allegany counties, showcasing a model that has proven effective. The exciting part? This model can be replicated in other regions across New York State, providing hope for areas also grappling with similar skilled labor shortages.
Challenges Facing the Industry
Despite the efforts underway, there are concerns from Voss Manufacturing and other manufacturers that educational institutions aren’t doing enough to inspire interest in skilled trades. The reality is that the manufacturing sector is a significant player in the local economy, involving over 1,600 manufacturers in the region, employing around 70,000 workers, and accounting for nearly $27 billion in annual shipments. This should undoubtedly convince educational institutions of the importance of promoting skilled trades as a rewarding career path.
The partnership between Voss and Dream It Do It is just one of many initiatives aimed at creating a viable talent pipeline in the manufacturing sector. As Voss continues to innovate and lead, their efforts might just inspire a whole new generation of engineers, machinists, and skilled technicians ready to take on the mantle of their predecessors.
The Future is Bright
As Voss Manufacturing and Dream It Do It work together to transform the landscape of skilled trades in Upstate New York, the potential for growth is immense. With renewed interest in manufacturing careers and a solid support system for students, the future could be incredibly bright. This collaboration is paving the way for a sustainable workforce, ensuring that companies like Voss can continue their legacy for years to come.
In conclusion, the strides being taken by Voss Manufacturing and their partnership with Dream It Do It mark an essential step towards securing the skilled labor force necessary for the future. It’s an exciting time in Upstate New York as the community rallies around the importance of manufacturing and the skilled trades.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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- Google Search: Manufacturing Support
- WGRZ: More Factory Workers Needed for US Manufacturing Goals
- Google Scholar: Skilled Labor Shortage
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Author: STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER
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