Planning Ahead: How Turner Machine is Preparing Future Generations For Opportunities In the Manufacturing Industry
SMYRNA, Tenn. (PRWEB) April 24, 2015 -- On Monday April 20th, Turner Machine, a custom machine builder and machine shop in Smyrna, Tennessee, hosted a field trip with the Mechatronics program at Oakland High School in Murfreesboro as a way to engage students in the manufacturing process.
The class, which includes both juniors and seniors, toured Turner Machine’s facility, learned about 3-D design software and observed how the individual machines they use in class come together to form a larger, more complex machine used in the professional world. After the tour, the students were treated to lunch before the company’s talent developer discussed how to apply to Turner Machine and the myriad of career paths within the company.
“Right now, we are up against a skills gap that is not only hurting our business, but the industry as a whole, so we started reaching out to schools to vet potential talent and raise awareness about our industry,” said Jeff Turner, CEO of Turner Machine. “It’s been great working with Oakland’s Mechatronics program because, in addition to helping them learn more about manufacturing, we’ve already had several students interested in a position with us.”
Before leaving Turner Machine, a handful of students completed a job application with the company and several others expressed interest in applying online.
By working with Oakland’s Mechatronics program, Turner Machine is actively working to combat two recent studies that could spell bad news for the manufacturing industry.
In a new report by the Manufacturing Institute in partnership with Deloitte, researchers found the United States will need to add nearly 3.5 million manufacturing jobs over the next 10 years, but 2 million of those jobs will go unfilled because of a skills shortage.
Further, a second survey finds that while the public would choose a manufacturing plant be built in their region over other employers, they were “unwilling to encourage their children to pursue careers in manufacturing.”
In an effort to beat such statistics, Turner Machine plans to make the Mechatronics class tour an annual event. Then, next Thursday, April 30th, the manufacturer will continue its recruiting efforts during a job fair at La Vergne High School.
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Turner Machine Company, Inc. is a full-service machine shop that specializes in building custom machines. The company, founded by Jeff Turner, will celebrate its 20th anniversary in November. Currently, Turner Machine employs around 50 people. It is located 15 miles southeast of Nashville, Tenn., in Smyrna. For more information about Turner Machine Company visit http://www.turnermc.com/.
Jeff Bradford, The Bradford Group, http://www.bradfordgroup.com, +1 (615) 515-4888, [email protected]
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