Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC)

Manufacturing Day and Month is fast approaching in October. Over the next decade, 3.8 million new manufacturing workers will need to be hired in the US. There are millions of new modern manufacturing jobs coming online in the next decade—opportunities to create, contribute and connect. ✅Let’s take a look at a new talent pool to fill your workforce gaps: Second chance citizens. 👉This National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) blog post dives into the valuable skills and growth these individuals can bring to your company: 🔗https://lnkd.in/gvf9hmTW As manufacturers look to expand their talent pool, one often overlooked demographic is second chance citizens – people who were previously incarcerated and are ready to return to the workforce. These individuals often bring valuable skills and a willingness to learn and grow with your company. Manufacturers are seeing success with this sometimes-overlooked talent pool. More than 80% of managers report that the value these workers bring to companies is just as high as the value that their employees without criminal records provide. 💌Read this valuable Manufacturing Innovation blog and contact us so we may connect you with resources and community partners to help you overcome any barriers to hiring second chance citizens and help you increase retention rates. 🔗https://vmec.org/contact/ 

RESCHEDULE NOTICE: The NERDIC Quarterly Ecosystem Meeting scheduled to be held in Vermont on Friday 13 September 2024 is now being rescheduled to later on in the year. The State of Vermont is dealing with urgent response needs due to the recent floods in the State, which has put additional demands on the local staff and contributed to a delay in finalization of the contract with OLDCC (Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation). A new date will be provided shortly, but will likely be November 2024.

🎉Manufacturing Day and Month is almost here! What are your plans for October?  It is a great time to start planning this year's MFG Day event. MFG Day is manufacturing’s biggest annual opportunity to inspire the next generation, positively shift perceptions about our industry, and build the foundation for the manufacturing workforce of the future. Friday, October 4 and all October long is when Vermont will be celebrating - make your event date and time work for you AND your target audience! 👉Connect with Robynn Albert, VMEC Marketing and Training Manager, to start planning your event. It can be as large or small as you wish, any day in the month of October, any time you choose and guess what? You can do it for little to no cost! 💌https://lnkd.in/gHPQk4ed  📆And don’t forget to save the date for the Advanced Manufacturing Day event on Thursday, October 10 with The GENERATOR Makerspace. VMEC and The Generator will be co-hosting this exciting event that focuses on the importance of careers in manufacturing.  Early stage planning for the day includes networking, panel discussion and Q&A led by VT-based manufacturing leaders in their respective industries who are knowledgeable in the Advanced Manufacturing world and willing to share their journey to success and continuous learning, tours and demos. 🔗https://lnkd.in/gY6Ef82f

⭐️Register today for the upcoming Lean 101 Training – Lean Transformation in Manufacturing! 📆August 21, 2024 📌Rutland Country Club, 275 Grove Street, Rutland • 8:00am - 3:00pm • $325 pp Lean is a learning system that develops capability and adaptability in people and processes. Lean 101 workshops have created and reignited the spark for improvement in countless organizations in Vermont and across the globe. When paired with the commitment to further engage and develop employees at all levels, Lean has proven to result in the competitive edge that attracts customers, employees and investors. This is a highly interactive workshop where participants experience the immediate and dramatic impact that Lean can have on how they feel, how they work and how their company performs. No previous experience is required. It is also suitable for Lean practitioners seeking a refresher. 🎯Participants will walk away recognizing the 8 wastes, as they are known in Lean Manufacturing, and with an introduction to mindsets and methods that they can use to eliminate these wastes in their own companies. They will also recognize that they are each now part of the community of learners and benefactors of Lean in Vermont as well as across the world. 👉Questions? Contact VMEC Business Growth Advisor Louis Prue regarding the training and  its content. ✅Register today! 🔗https://lnkd.in/gY6Ef82f

🐟 Teach to Fish AND Fish When Necessary – Embed a VMEC Expert in Your Operation 🎣 We have all heard the saying “give a person a fish and feed them for the day but teach a person to fish and they can feed themselves for a lifetime.” Recently, we have been hearing from our Vermont manufacturers that this kind of approach is all well and good when you have the people, time and the ability to cover for training. Many of Vermont’s smaller manufacturing operations lack that coverage and time and it prevents them from fully participating in traditional learning approaches. 👀 Read the complete blog post and contact us today; let us teach you our fishing techniques so you can teach others and be successful! https://lnkd.in/gCazkfGG ✉ Contact us: https://vmec.org/contact/

🌟 Upcoming Intro to CONNEX™ VT & SCOIN Session: August 14th from 2-3 PM 🌟 🚀 Discover how the Supply Chain Optimization & Intelligence Network (SCOIN) and CONNEX™ Vermont are revolutionizing Vermont's manufacturing supply chains. Learn to maximize your CONNEX™ account and explore SCOIN’s benefits, from enhancing resilience to scaling up supplier connections. 📅 Monthly sessions throughout 2024! Ideal for those aiming to transform their supply chain, locally or nationally. ✅ Free for Vermont manufacturers! 📣 Join us and elevate your supply chain strategy! Register today https://lnkd.in/gY6Ef82f #SupplyChainSuccess #CONNEXVermont #SCOIN

❗ UPDATE: This event has been postponed, check out NERDIC for more details Register now! NERDIC Ecosystem Meeting Onwards and Upward✨ Join this FREE session on Friday, September 13 from 8:30 am - 1:00 pm at Hula in Burlington! Registration is now open for the next NERDIC Ecosystem Meeting. NERDIC looks forward to their ecosystem coming together, re-starting discussions and moving into the future with invigorated connections. The theme of the meeting is 'Onwards and Upward: Expanding the New England Regional Defense Industry (NERDIC) Network'. Speakers will consist of key members of the NERDIC network and more to be confirmed shortly, along with the agenda for the day. For more information, contact Cameron Ainsworth, NERDIC Program Manager, (VT Dept. of Economic Development), (802) 556-4366, [email protected] or David Beurle, NERDIC Project Manager, (Future iQ), (612) 757-9190, [email protected]. Register today! 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gGz6YA7u

🌟Let’s shine a spotlight on  Creativity in Action!🌟 Creativity is the spark that ignites innovation and drives us to new heights. In our journey to amplify excellence, let’s take a moment to recognize and celebrate the creative minds among us. By focusing on the inventive and imaginative solutions we bring to the table, we can inspire even more groundbreaking ideas. 👀How to spot Creativity in Action: ✅ Prototype Development: Evidence of prototyping or model-making where new product ideas or improvements are being physically tested. ✅ Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Different departments working together, pooling diverse skills and perspectives to create novel solutions. ✅ Idea Boards: Bulletin boards or digital platforms dedicated to sharing new ideas, suggestions, or inspirations from all levels of staff. ✅ Innovation Challenges: Competitions or challenges that encourage employees to come up with unique solutions to specific problems. ✅ Diverse Teams: Teams made up of individuals with different backgrounds and expertise, bringing a variety of ideas to the table. ✅ Training in Creative Skills: Workshops or courses offered to employees to enhance their creative skills, such as design thinking or creative writing. ✅ Recognition of Creative Efforts: A system that acknowledges and rewards innovative ideas and creative contributions from employees. ✅ Innovative Problem-Solving: Look for unique solutions that tackle challenges in unexpected ways. Creative thinkers often see problems from new angles. ✅ Experimentation and Prototyping: Employees who aren't afraid to test new ideas and learn from failures show true creative bravery. ✅ Resourceful Adaptation: Using available resources in new and unexpected ways to overcome obstacles or enhance outcomes. 🎉By recognizing these signs, we can appreciate and learn from "Creativity in Action" within any workplace environment. 🎉The next time you see a colleague, team member, or leader demonstrating any of the above, honor them with a badge for Creativity in Action. 🎉Share this badge with a creative colleague and let's amplify excellence together! #AmplifyExcellence #CreativityInAction

❗ UPDATE: This event has been postponed, check out NERDIC for more details ✨Onwards and Upward: Expanding the New England Regional Defense Industry (NERDIC) Network✨ The next NERDIC Ecosystem Meeting has been scheduled for Friday, September 13, 2024 in Burlington, VT. Plan to attend and join all of the NERDIC Ecosystem coming together. The meeting will be hosted at Hula, 50 Lakeside Avenue, Burlington, Vermont 05401. More details on speakers, agenda, and registration coming soon!  https://nerdic.us/ Follow NERDIC on LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/gXVtvr8C 📆Save the date to catch up with the NERDIC ecosystem and discuss our work moving forward.

🌟 Dive Into the Essentials of People Development! 🌟 Looking to drive success, but not sure where to start? Invest in your people - they are the most valuable asset. The strongest leaders know that investing in people development is the best way to support and empower your most valuable asset: the people that drive success at all levels of your business. At VMEC, we aim to help companies engage, train, and mentor their existing team members, as well as to find, attract and onboard new ones. We have the experience, know-how and network to work with you and make your investment in your people really count. This short study guide includes the major bullet points to look up and investigate to start your journey of people development: ⭐️What is People Development ✔️Focuses on improving employees' skills, knowledge, and capabilities. ✔️Enhances employee performance and satisfaction. ✔️Aligns personal growth with organizational goals. 🎯Core Principles ✔️Continuous Learning: Lifelong process of acquiring knowledge. ✔️Employee Engagement: Involving employees in meaningful work. ✔️Leadership Development: Cultivating leaders at all levels.  ✔️Performance Management: Regular feedback and development plans. 🎯 Key Methodologies ✔️Training Programs: Structured learning experiences. ✔️Mentorship: Guidance from experienced professionals. ✔️Coaching: Personalized feedback and support. ✔️On-the-Job Training: Learning through practical work experiences. 🎯Tools and Techniques ✔️Learning Management Systems (LMS): Digital platforms for training. ✔️360-Degree Feedback: Comprehensive performance reviews. ✔️Development Plans: Personalized growth strategies. ✔️Workshops and Seminars: Interactive learning sessions. 🎯Performance Metrics ✔️Employee Retention Rates: Measure of employee loyalty. ✔️Training Completion Rates: Percentage of employees completing training. ✔️Employee Satisfaction Surveys: Feedback on development programs. 📚Recommended Books for People Development:  📖Dare to Lead by Brené Brown: Focuses on cultivating brave leadership and fostering a culture of courage and vulnerability. 📖"Leadership from Below: Paradoxes of Submarine Leadership" by Jeff Flesher: Provides unique insights into leadership under pressure, applicable to various organizational contexts. ⭐️What We Do ✔️Tailor engagements to specific business needs ✔️Develop technical skills and interpersonal competencies ✔️Integrate and develop organizational systems ✔️Partner with Tooling U-SME for workforce solutions This is a short study guide with a concise introduction to topics that enhance efficiency, security, and team dynamics. Dive in with these bite-sized learnings to get to know the terms, tools and topics that can drive success and innovation in your manufacturing processes! More information is available on our website: https://lnkd.in/gp-ZnW5j 👉Want more information or hands on help? Contact us today!  🔗https://vmec.org/contact/