(BUSINESS WIRE) — May 5, 2014 — The United States manufacturing and energy sectors employ more than 16 million U.S. workers directly and creates millions more jobs in related industries. But U.S. manufacturers are struggling with the problem of the "skills gap"—employers looking to hire, but unable to find qualified, skilled workers. Adding to the problem, three million employees are expected to retire in the next decade.
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What: |
A National Press Club (NPC) Newsmaker, a news conference that is open to all credentialed press, members of the National Press Club and their guests, and all National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA) and Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) members who are in Washington, DC for the One Voice legislative conference |
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Who: |
Panelists will include: | |
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-- Jody Fledderman, Chairman, Precision Metalforming Association |
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-- Ted Toth, Chairman, National Tooling and Machining Association |
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-- Steve Nowlan, American Jobs for American Heroes |
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-- Mark Volk, President, Lackawanna College |
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Where: |
Zenger Room, National Press Club |
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| 529 14th Street, NW Washington, DC | ||
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When: |
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May 6, 2014 at 2:00 PM |
NTMA and PMA report that 74% of recently surveyed members currently have skilled job openings. In addition, 90% of survey respondents are having severe or moderate challenges recruiting qualified employees. With many technology programs at secondary and post-secondary schools having closed in recent years, there are not enough young people gaining the skills needed to fill these essential roles.
Lackawanna College President Mark Volk has developed a Natural Gas Technology Associate’s Degree program in cooperation with the natural gas industry that is designed to prepare students for a career in the operations segment of the industry, a flourishing source of regional job growth. The program’s placement rate is over 95%.
The Newsmaker panelists will explore various aspects of the skills gap problem as well as potential solutions from increasing educational opportunities to recruiting military veterans and members of the U.S. National Guard.
Contact:
Newsmaker Host:
Frank Maisano,
202-828-5864
Email Contact