Our local Politicians & Manufacturing
Posted by John B. Kalb - 5/29/08 @ 4:03 pm - Filed Under Featured, Local Politics
There is no indication that anyone in our present city or county government has been saying anything of merit about manufacturing and/or technology. If they happen to mention either, it’s only to view them as money trees to be shaken and used, not activities to be understood or considered especially valuable.
The facts remain —
Manufacturing is still 12% of the US economy and 10% of the jobs in America are in this sector.
Manufacturing accounts for over two-thirds of our nations exports and that makes the USA the world’s top manufacturing exporter. (largely due to aircraft manufacturers like Boeing, et al)
In the midwest, especially in Northeastern Indiana, we have almost 50% of our jobs in manufacturing and technology. So shouldn’t we see more discussion and action on retaining and building these kinds of jobs rather than trying to attract the jobs that fall into the “liberal arts” category?
Somehow, our politicians have got to understand that technology and manufacturing MUST be valued, sought and respected, not treated as as mere implements manipulated by “nerds”!
Our biggest, most valuable asset is our trained manufacturing and technological workforce and that should be our MAJOR sales point - not the tax abatements and TIF funding “mickey -mouse” - everyone can (and does) offer these. Let’s use our unique abilities to sell our area for expansion and not rely on downtown ballpark gimmicks!
Our loss of Don Schmidt (who admitted to being included in the “nerds” of our time) on our city common council left a hole which I believe has been plugged by the likes of Karen Goldner (who may not admit it, but is thinking like a “nerd” in her deliberations).
With a nod to Brian Hogan, editor of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, April, 2008 issue for the idea for this post.
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6 Responses to “Our local Politicians & Manufacturing”
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John-
You really make me shake my head in disbelief sometimes. Using the facts that you stated it would appear that we need to shift our focus in the opposite direction that you propose. “10% of the jobs in the US are in this sector and 50% of Northeast Indiana’s jobs are in this sector.” This tells me that we are behind the power curve here.
For the sake of my argument I want to further define “manufacturing and technology.” I am talking specifically about traditional manufacturing jobs of the 20th century that made the Midwest the manufacturing capital of the world. (making cars, tv’s, etc.)
If you haven’t notice lately the world has gotten flat (according to Friedman). Manufacturing can be done in Mexico, Latin/South America, or Asia and shipped to anywhere in the world more cost effectively than the Midwest could ever hope. This effect is bringing third world country’s standards up and at the same time bringing the standard of living we’ve grown accustom to down.
The successful manufacturing jobs of today in this country are the ones that generally require education beyond the high school level. You state that our most valuable asset is our trained manufacturing and technological workforce. Unfortunately the percentage of our workforce with a college degree would contradict your statement.
–Luke
Luke - How are you defining your “Power Curve”? Since we are more successful at manufacturing than others in our contry therefore we should “shed” our manufacturing jobs? That’s very illogical in my way of thinking.
To back up my facts, consider the following:
1) With the dollar’s decline against most all other currencies, it is becoming very much true that we can compete, and even beat, the low labor costs in Mexico et al. Our exportable goods are less expensive for other countries to buy using their currency. The industry that I have been involved with for the last 39 years, selling physical measuring tools to manufacturers, has experienced the highest sales in 10 years over the last 5 months. Our industry is usually about 6 to 12 months ahead of the rest of the manufacturing businesses.
2) I disagree with your statement that a college degree is necessary to work in manufacturing technology. A journeyman toolmaker does NOT require a college degree - actually, a college degree puts a good toolmaker at a disadvantage in toolmaking - he is overqualified. I can speak from experience on this since I am a toolmaker (General Electric Apprentice) and an Electrical Engineer (Purdue). The only time that I worked as a toolmaker was when I was at West Lafayette in school when I worked part-time in the University Machine Shop. The GM Truck plant in Allen County employs less than 10% college graduates, for example.
Your definition of “traditional manufacturing jobs” doesn’t fit what is occuring in this field today - look at the “human-body-parts-replacement” businesses in Warsaw, the equipment being manufactured for use in our hospitals, clinics and doctors offices, the heating and cooling systems being manufactured like at Water Furnace here in Fort Wayne, and the highly-automated production of automobiles (more and more by global companies set up in the USA - Honda in Greensburg, Indiana, Toyota in Evanville and also Honda in Marysville, Ohio) in our country because they are closer to their customers AND it is less expensive to build here. The pendulum is swinging back like it always does, if governments can keep their noses OUT OF normal business activities!
Well said, “Luke” However:
So the bridge to employee based talent…education might be in the form of those willing to stay in Indiana via a co-op working while you learn higher education. Co-op’s are for 18-22 year olds that are aquiring higher education while studying for their Bachelor Degree. I think we should promote this under utilized work force, talent and education to our future…Higher education, talent pool is much needed in Indiana.
Intership sponsored jobs are for those educated with degrees graduating and coming out of our Indiana Public/Private Colleges. Indiana needs a talent pooled from graduating students to do a 6 month internship. Employers of this state of Indiana might keep these talents on board and offer career. Let look at the test drive of our Indiana talent pool before we jump ship.
We definitely should increase Co-op & Internships
of Indiana educated locals. Lets work, while you earn credit for Indiana.
The successful manufacturing jobs of today in this country are the ones that generally require education beyond the high school level.
I guess I’m offended by this statement.
Ever heard of Cummins? We employ plenty of hard-working citizens of Indiana (and other places in the U.S. and worldwife) in manufacturing-type positions and they are high-school educated.
They are also awesomely talented human beings who give back to their communities. Some have gone on to college - others have chosen to pursue more technical certifications.
John & Kristina: You have both taken a generalization that I have made and found an example of where it doesn’t apply. Of course there are going to be exceptions.
I realize that there are tons of manufacturing jobs out there today that a stable, good paying, and don’t require a college education. The point I was trying to make is that the high school senior that graduated last week is not as likely to walk into a successful manufacturing job tomorrow like many have been able to in the past. Because of automation and improved efficiency, what once took 10 people to make now only takes 1. The manufacturing jobs that use to drive the Midwest economy back in the post WWII era are not coming back. Yes, there are great examples in the area of manufactures that have succeeded. But not in the numbers that once existed.
The whole point of my original comment was that I disagree with John’s post. Mainly:
“So shouldn’t we see more discussion and action (by local politicians) on retaining and building these kinds of jobs rather than trying to attract the jobs that fall into the “liberal arts” category?” & “Our biggest, most valuable asset is our trained manufacturing and technological workforce…”
I would suggest that the key to retaining and building jobs in our area is education and that our existing workforce is not competitive (as a whole) in the world economy. The brain drain is real. The lack of post-graduate degree options hurts Fort Wayne. The fact that some of our school systems struggle is real.
No, no, what we need is a baseball stadium, parking garage and another downtown hotel and then we’ll be ready for the jobs of the future!
Sorry Luke, this isn’t meant to take away from your argument (which I happen to agree with - at least most of it) but I couldn’t resist…