Congressman John Carney (D-Delaware) led a roundtable discussion at Delaware Tech's Innovation and Technology Center (ITC) in New Castle on Monday, examining what employers need to grow a 21st century workforce for the beleaguered industry in the First State.
The panel noted ever-changing technology presents new challenges to all manufacturing workers – and the skills that qualified an employee 10 or 20 years ago may be inadequate today.
The consensus reached was that while the state has manufacturing jobs available with people applying for them - employers seem equally concerned about the skills gap of the next generation of workers.
Carney says that gap includes basic soft skills that make an applicant attractive like "the ability to communicate; the ability to put together a basic resume; the ability to sell themselves to an employer; the ability and the willingness to learn on the job; the willingness to learn new things and to be trained in not just the job they're doing but other jobs."
ITC director Tom McCarthy moderated the conversation and agreed having desirable behavioral skills is key to standing apart from the competition and landing a job in the industry.
“There are jobs in the manufacturing niche for individuals who can bring it," McCarthy said, "bring it at the skill level, bring it at the attitudinal level. You go in there, think of it as your own business. Think of adding something to that business that is being run by that man or woman.”
The event launched Carney's Make it in Delaware week - a series of events and meetings to help understand the needs of the state's manufacturing industry.
The challenges current and prospective manufacturing workers face and what skills are needed to find work were part of Monday's conversation with manufacturing workers and trainers, along with discussion about available training and and the federal government’s role in helping the manufacturing workforce plays a role.
Carney continues Make it in Delaware Week Tuesday with a conference call with thousands of First State residents to exchange ideas about how to grow Delaware's manufaturing industry.
The congressman has a three-county manufacturing facility tour planned for Wednesday, a visit to Hodgson Vo-Tech high school on Thursday, and another roundtable Friday with manufacturing employers.
