Does your organization have a large Spanish speaking workforce? Are you looking for ways to upskill and retain this segment of your workforce?

USDOL has done studies showing the advantages of employees learning and retain more knowledge from training programs when they understand the content. Teaching a program to Spanish speaking employees in Spanish helps these workers retain and understand the topics and adapt the concepts better and faster to their work environment.

New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) has two manufacturing programs that are offered in Spanish to address these growing training requirements.

Front Line Supervisor: Managers and supervisors can have the single largest impact on your organization. New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) offers a Front-Line Supervisor program that is designed to help organizations like yours develop and prepare your Managers, Supervisors, and recent promotions for success. The program focuses on supervisory skills required to be successful managers.

Topics include:

The Industrial Manufacturing Technician (IMT): This program emphasizes the development of foundational skills for operators and technicians in a broad range of manufacturing roles. Technical competency development is combined with communication, teamwork and other business skills to mold or create a well-rounded employee. This program provides new or under-developed manufacturing workers with a robust and diverse skill set and prepares employees for advancement into more technically advanced roles.

Topics Covered:

These programs are taught by NJIT instructors who are fluent in both English and Spanish and have a manufacturing background. The programs can be conducted at your location, onsite at NJIT, or online via a live instructor. Misinterpretation can lead to lower productivity, loss revenue and more accidents. Do you have a large Spanish speaking workforce you are looking to like to upskill? Learn more about the NJIT programs: https://www.njii.com/pce/courses/

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Speaker Profile
Chris von Huene
US Sales Director
3d Signals

Learn how 3d Signals’ plug-and-play technology enables digital transformation of production floors, to gain real-time visibility and actionable insights that boost productivity, lower operating costs, and reduce lead times.

Chris started at UTC Aerospace in the aftermarket division and then moved into finance for a medical device and fast-food company. Then he transitioned into sales for software-as-a-service companies and even sold copiers for Xerox. Currently, Chris is the US Sales Director at 3d Signals where he leads the US sales team. Chris’ diverse background in manufacturing, finance, and software sales has enabled him to approach the problems that manufacturers face today from a more holistic perspective. 

3d Signals is a technology company dedicated to helping manufacturers increase productivity and reduce production costs. Customers use 3d Signals’ plug-and-play technology to enable digital transformation of their production floors, to gain real-time visibility and actionable insights that boost productivity, lower operating costs, and reduce lead times – so each factory can reach its full potential. Installation is quick and customers typically experience a 20%-30% increase in productivity in 90 days.

For more information visit https://3dsignals.com/

You’re Invited To Our Smart Manufacturing Panel Event!

NJIT is hosting an Industry 4.0 /Smart Manufacturing event on Thursday, April 21, 2022 starting at 5:30pm. We will have a panel of New Jersey businesses who are in different phases of Industry 4.0 adoption. Hear their challenges, mistakes, and benefits they are realizing building out a smart manufacturing organization. We will also have a technology partner speaking about the different types of software to help organizations collect and visualize machine data.

Register and join us! If you need additional information please contact David Watts at david.watts@njii.com.

The post Wondering where to start with Industry 4.0? Hear from NJIT ecosystem partner, 3dSignals, about their plug-and-play solution. Join our upcoming NJIT Event! appeared first on NJII.

How do you make this transformation and realize benefits of increased growth, a more collaborative workforce, increased profitability, greater flexibility and attract top talent?

You’re Invited To Our Smart Manufacturing Panel Event!

New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) is hosting an Industry 4.0 / Smart Manufacturing event on April 21, 2022 at 5:30pm. We will have a panel of New Jersey businesses who are in different phases of Industry 4.0 adoption. Hear their challenges, mistakes, and benefits they are realizing building out a smart manufacturing organization. Hear from Manufactures about how they navigated new technology like robotics, data collection, sensors, and data analysis to optimization process improvements, enhancing productivity, and reduce manufacturing cost.

Register and join us!

If you need additional information please contact David Watts at david.watts@njii.com.

The post Why Should Businesses Adopt Industry 4.0 Technologies? appeared first on NJII.

How do you know when or if your business should invest in Industry 4.0 technology?

You’ve probably read about the benefits of adapting smart manufacturing technology. Reduce waste, optimize factory operations, more access to real time data providing insights to make faster decisions, attract a younger workforce and boost efficiency and profitability of your entire operations. But have you considered the challenges and steps you need to take to get there?

Smart Manufacturing Panel Discussion

New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) is hosting an Industry 4.0 /Smart Manufacturing event on April 21, 2022. We will have a panel of New Jersey businesses who are in different phases of Industry 4.0 adoption. Hear their challenges, mistakes, and benefits they are realizing building out a smart manufacturing organization. We will also have a technology partner speaking about the different types of software to help organizations collect and visualize machine data. Register and join us! If you need additional information please contact David Watts at david.watts@njii.com.

The post Is Industry 4.0 Right For You? appeared first on NJII.

• Programs available in Project Management, Six Sigma, Leadership, Finance, and more
• Flexible course modalities
• Programs designed and taught by industry professionals
• Gain eligibility to sit for industry exams

Find continuing career success by earning a valuable and marketable New Jersey Institute of Technology professional certification. Read on to learn more about the certification programs being offered this fall and contact us with any questions!

Six Sigma Green Belt

Starting Date: September 14^th (9/14/21)
Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays 6-9pm
Weeks: 8
Instruction Mode: Live, online, instructor-led
Cost: $1,995

This course will teach the fundamentals of Six Sigma and how they can be applied to achieve stable and predictable process results should consider this course. No previous experience is required to take this course, however the ASQ has certain requirements that must be met before receiving the Green Belt certification.

Project Management Professional (PMP)

Starting Date: September 13^th (9/13/21)
Times: Mondays and Thursdays 6-9pm
Weeks: 6
Instruction Mode: Live, online, instructor-led
Cost: $1,995

This course will cover all 10 Knowledge Areas of the Project Management Body Knowledge (PMBOK), general exam information, time management, human resource management, and manage and motivate teams. This course will help prepare for the Project Management Professional (PMP) and/or Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification exam. The PMP requires project management experience.

Management Essentials

Starting Date: September 13^th (9/13/21)
Times: Mondays and Wednesdays 6-9pm
Weeks: 10
Instruction Mode: Live, online, instructor-led
Cost: $1,995

This course covers the key functions of the manager in an ever-changing workplace environment. In includes concepts, exercises and activities that explore, reinforce that make a better manager. Learn how to manage diverse resources, handle the unexpected, set guidelines and expectations and communicate effectively.

Financial Management for Non-Financial Managers

Starting Date: September 14^th (9/14/21)
Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays 6-8:30pm
Weeks: 8
Instruction Mode: Live, online, instructor-led
Cost: $1,995

By taking this course, non-financial managers will be able to better understand the requirements and structure of that analysis and make better informed business decisions. Topics include key financial concepts, recording business transactions, managing budgets, and understanding financial performance.

Creative Placemaking Certificate

Starting Date: September 13^th (9/13/21)
Time: Mondays and Thursdays 6-9pm
Weeks: 15
Instruction Mode: Live, online, instructor-led
Cost: $2,495

Develop the skills to initiate, collaborate and contribute to the community renewal as a Certified Creative Placemaker. This course helps develop strategies for linking art and culture into a community and economic development planning. Learn about team missions and visioning, working across sectors, funding and policies and the importance of design.

Cybersecurity Professional Bootcamp

Starting Date: Ongoing
Time: Varies
Instruction Mode: Live, online, instructor-led
Cost: $17,500

This course is designed to launch cybersecurity careers from the ground up. Learn about the industry, fundamentals, in-depth concepts and skills and real-life scenarios. This course will provide the knowledge needed to take multiple cybersecurity certifications such as the LPI Linux Essentials and AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner.

Digital Marketing Bootcamp

Starting Date: Ongoing
Time: Varies
Instruction Mode: Live, online, instructor-led
Cost: $14,500

Get an understanding and theoretical knowledge and real-world knowledge in the digital marketing industry. Get training in Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Google advertisement, and website development. At the end, students will have a professional ePortfolio that can be shown to prospective employers.

For more information, please visit www.njii.com/pce

The post Advance Your Career Starting This Fall appeared first on NJII.

The Danger of Postponing Training Programs

Analysis from employee reviews sites like Glassdoor shows how important training and education programs are to employee job satisfaction and overall company culture. The business rationale is clear:

Training and education programs keep employees engaged, ensure continued skill building, improve productivity, keep communication channels open and bring people back together post-COVID-19 induced periods of isolation and remote work.

The Long-Term Impacts of COVID-19

One thing that history teaches us that major events like COVID-19, not only effect short-term changes but also changes that last for decades. We see this already with online buying habits changing, social media, and increases in-home service deliveries.

The same can be said for manufacturers with disrupted supply chains, workforce availability challenges, and an increased need for automation. One thing is sure: the manufacturing landscape will be forever altered as a result of COVID-19.

Why Do Today’s Manufacturing Employees Need New Skills Now?

1. During the past 18 months, there has been a big shift towards automating traditional manufacturing. Due to that shift, there are several major reasons why employees in manufacturing now require and need higher-level skills. Technology is becoming an absolute must-have to stay competitive.
2. Increased investment in digital machines providing real-time shop floor data requires a higher skilled operator or technician.
3. Greater need for math skills: Connected machines are constantly collecting data. Operators need to be able to analyze and react to the data to improve productivity and drive efficiencies.
4. More robotics equipment is being integrated into production lines requiring a new set of skills.
5. Knowledge of how to work and coordinate with a digitally connected supply chain.
6. Communication skills to work with team members and clients from all backgrounds.

NJIT’s Professional Development ProgramsNJIT offers several programs designed to help manufacturers like you develop and prepare your workforce for the challenges they will now face in a post-COVID-19 world. The programs offered by NJIT focus on proven ways to up-skill your workforce to meet the demands required to be successful.

Professional Development Courses Offered at NJIT

• Industrial Manufacturing Technician
• Front Line Supervisor
• Project Management
• Six Sigma Green and Black Belt
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

In short, these courses are developed by experienced professionals and are proven to help new and existing employees improve performance, increase job satisfaction, boost morale, and reduce employee turnover.

Corporate Solutions

The programs listed above are offered as “open enrollment” courses that anyone can take, and that companies can send multiple employees to attend. They can also be offered privately to your employees, at your site, at NJIT, virtually, or even in a hybrid model. Furthermore, they can be customized and tailored to suit the unique needs of your organization. Their purpose is to create innovation, competitiveness, and national resilience.

Manufacturing Matters

You can make a big impact on retention and performance by re-introducing the professional development and corporate training programs that have been put on hold during the pandemic. Companies that invest in up-skilling are better equipped to lead in global manufacturing.

Contact us at https://www.njii.com/pce/ to learn more.

The post Why It’s Critical To Up-Skill the Manufacturing Workforce in a Post COVID-19 World appeared first on NJII.

The global health pandemic has changed the world as we know it, forcing millions of businesses worldwide to rethink their approach towards work. The impact has been significant in terms of how businesses execute projects and maintain productivity goals while working remotely. 

The New Normal for Project Management

Gone are the days of onsite meetings and in-person group collaboration. The new normal is online video meetings, document sharing, slack, teams or skype messages, and non-stop Zoom calls. In addition, many companies have had to radically change operating models to survive the pandemic, resulting in new processes, roles, and technologies.

Project Managers (PMs) need to adapt and focus on new ways of managing their traditional tried-and-true project management processes to meet this changing environment. To be successful, managers need to be open to a new set of skills and new ways of thinking. 

What Do PM’s Need to do Differently? 

Today’s project managers must master new technology-based systems, conquer challenges they and their project members face while working from home. They have to improve communication skills and learn how to assess projects remotely. If they can succeed, there’s a good chance your company will not only survive the pandemic but emerge even stronger than before.

The Four Keys to Success

Communication 

Working remotely is the new standard. To ensure all stakeholders stay motivated during the pandemic and beyond, every project manager will have to have effective communication skills in place that work across a variety of communication platforms encompassing email, messaging, video, project management software, and voice. 

Technology Enablement

Technology has further revolutionized the workplace during the pandemic. It continues to change at a rapid pace. We are starting to see the value of artificial intelligence (AI). AI is projected to save large amounts of money and have a huge impact on how admin-based processes are run. Project leaders need to stay ahead of these trends to ensure they take advantage of the benefits and capture the ROI.

Hybrid Project Management 

There is no doubt that even after the global health pandemic crisis has subsided, a hybrid work model will persist. During the pandemic, companies have become much more adept at managing a remote workforce, and there are benefits they are experiencing that they will not want to give up once the crisis is over.

However, there are benefits to on-the-ground and face-to-face interaction that will be re-introduced. This will create challenges not just from communication, management, and execution but also with new technology that will all need to adapt to an increasingly hybrid model where the workforce is both remote and in office. 

Visibility

During the pandemic, all our projects have required greater management visibility and collaboration to achieve greater productivity. Companies have had to learn to become flexible, agile, pivot quickly, stay on project timelines, and execute to be competitive, which will continue in a post-pandemic world. 

Professional & Corporate Education for Project Management Professionals

NJIT offers a project management program that helps project managers build the skills necessary to manage projects in the post Covid-19 world. The focus is on mastering the four keys to success and learning the skills needed to navigate complex projects, quickly assess what’s working and not-working and overcome communication challenges. NJIT instructors have years of professional and industry experience and proven strategies to help new and existing project managers succeed in today’s fast-paced, increasingly digital, and ever-changing world. 

Courses run on an ongoing basis and are open to individuals and groups. Learn more here. You can also contact us to discuss any custom programming needs you may have and how we can structure a program to meet your unique challenges or content requirements.  

The post Project Managers Face New Challenges During the COVID-19 Pandemic appeared first on NJII.

Unfortunately, “bad” supervisors are not at all uncommon either. According to recent studies, 56% of American workers claim their boss is mildly or highly toxic and 75% of Americans say their “boss is the most stressful part of their workday.” (Source: What to do when you have a Bad Boss, Harvard Business Review)

When turnover and reasons for quitting are examined, it’s no surprise that the top five reasons for people leaving their job all have to do with a lack of progression or dissatisfaction with leadership. (Source: Why People Quit Their Jobs, January, 2020, Career Addict)

How to Measure the Cost of Bad Supervisors

How do you know if you have an issue with your supervisors? How do you measure the cost of that issue and lobby to fix it?  Look at the following five key areas:

1. High employee turnover
2. Loss in productivity
3. Low rates of job satisfaction
4. Increased sick leave
5. Negative image of company culture on social media

So why it is most companies do such a poor job of preparing people for roles as supervisors?  

Formal Training for New Supervisors 

Many companies prefer to promote from within which can be a very positive approach, except they make the mistake of assuming that the new manager possesses the skills they need from years of line experience.  In fact, surveys have shown that close to half of all organizations have no formal training programs for new supervisors and those that do offer training, don’t measure its effectiveness. (Source: The High Cost of Bad Bosses, American Management Association)

This “throw them to the wolves” approach is not very successful in preparing a supervisor for his or her new role. No matter how talented someone is, a new role will introduce them to something foreign to what they’ve already learned to do. This is where they suddenly become ineffective and everyone under them suffers.

Whether your goal is to drive higher productivity, or prevent turnover, your managers can have the single greatest impact on achieving those targets. A formal supervisor training program, supported by senior leadership, will help ensure your managers contribute to the success of the business.

Grant Funded Front-Line Supervisor Training

NJIT offers a grant funded Front-Line Supervisor program that is designed to help organizations like yours develop and prepare your new hires and recent promotions for success. The program focuses on supervisory skills required to be successful managers.

Our front line supervisor training consists of four-modules covering seven critical topics  

• Conflict Resolution  
• Communication Skills  
• Project Management
• Relationship Building  
• Promoting Leadership Practices  
• Coaching & Mentoring  
• Understanding Supervisor Rules & Functions

In short, this course, developed by experienced professionals and professors has been proven to help new and existing supervisors improve employee performance, increase job satisfaction, boost morale, and reduce employee turnover.  This program is conducted via live online instructor-led classes taught by experienced professionals and it is partially funded by the USDOL.  

Poor supervision can have far reaching and dramatic effects on your organization. Contact us at apprenticeships@njit.edu or visit our website to learn more.   

The post The Staggering Cost of Poor Supervisors: Why Managers Need Training appeared first on NJII.

In fact, in a 2018 study conducted by the Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute, the data predicted a gap of over 4.6 million manufacturing jobs from 2019-2028 with a potential economic impact of 2.5 trillion. That is huge! And it comes on top of the economic impact we are all facing due to the global pandemic.  So where do you turn?  

Advanced Manufacturing Training & Apprenticeships 

The Institute Workplace Skills & Innovation did a study that showed employers can earn a 36% return on their investments in apprentice training. 

How will apprenticeships generate that kind of ROI?  Here is what companies like yours say they’ve experienced when they adopt a formal apprenticeship program. 

Benefits of Apprenticeships 

• Reduced recruiting costs
• A more predictable and reliable supply of skilled labor
• Improved employee retention
• Improved employee productivity
• Reduced turnover
• Improved productivity, adding directly to the bottom line 
• Adds to the pool of employees for internal leadership development

The bottom line is apprenticeships are good for business.  

How Do You Build an Apprenticeship Program?  

There are several options for developing your apprenticeship program. 

Some companies use internal resources to develop the curriculum and manage the program; however, that often requires taking some of your most talented resources out of production. 

And, let’s face it, many manufacturing organizations can’t afford to build a robust training operation in house. Instead, they make use of programs created by industry associations or other third parties, like a local college or university or even commercial training organizations.   

Department of Labor Funding Available 

The New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) located in Newark, NJ, one of only 32 polytechnic universities in the United States, and the Pennsylvania College of Technology (Penn College) were jointly awarded a grant from the US Department of Labor for Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeships that specifically addresses the predicted skills gap so many companies like yours are facing. You can utilize these programs to upskill your current workforce and hire new talent through a pipeline of pre-apprenticeship programs.  

How do you get started?  

The human capital team at NJIT will work directly with you, as an employer, to understand which programs are best suited to your workforce and even build a customized program for you, leveraging prepared curriculum and combining some of your unique practices and processes to address your unique needs. 

On September 14th, NJIT and Penn College will be offering an Industrial Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship Program (IMT) online. There are 20 spots available in this program which consists of 110 hours of classroom instruction and 1,500 hours of on the job training. The apprenticeship is also 50% funded by the USDOL. At the end of the program, your employees will receive a Manufacturing Technician Level 1 (MT1) Certification from the Manufacturing Skills Institute. 

What will your employees learn during their Industrial Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship?  

The IMT apprenticeship program provides new or under-skilled manufacturing workers with a robust and diverse skill set. The program prepares individuals for advancement into more technically advanced career paths — for example, training required to be a technician in Mechatronics. 

The IMT training program through NJIT is a comprehensive and customizable training curriculum. The program can be delivered in a way that best suits your needs — whether at your location, NJIT or virtually. 

IMT prepares production workers for the knowledge and competencies needed in the advanced manufacturing environment. The program trains workers to:  

1. Setup, operate, monitor and control production equipment  
2. Gain knowledge of routine equipment maintenance 
3. Efficiently and safely manage raw materials and consumables  
4. Help improve manufacturing processes and schedules to meet customer requirements  
5. Understand manufacturing as a business  
6. Understand inventory management and material processes 

Topics covered include:  

• Industrial Math 
• Intro to Mechanical Components  
• Intro to Fluid Power and Thermodynamics 
• Intro to Industrial Electricity 
• Basics of Chemistry 
• Manufacturing Process 
• Business Acumen 
• Communication in the Workplace  
• Conflict Resolution  
• Engaging in Teamwork  
• Blueprint Reading  
• Quality, Lean and SPC Basics  
• OSHA 

Please contact the workforce development team at NJIT for more details and pricing. 

The post How Will You Overcome the Skill Gaps in Your Workforce? appeared first on NJII.

Unanticipated disruption to their supply chains, workforce uncertainty and entirely new cost versus risk models are causing local manufacturers to re-think and re-assess their business operations and strategies.  

Here are the top areas of concern: 

• Understanding the reliability of existing sourcing models 
• Managing long and inflexible supply chains 
• Making the supply chain dramatically more transparent, predictable and resilient  
• Adapting to issues around rising costs and diminishing quality  
• Identifying and mitigating security risks  
• Addressing evolving issues with tariffs and trade restrictions 

As a result of this growing list of concerns in a world turned upside down by the onset of the Coronavirus, many things are happening.  

The Federal Government is aggressively creating incentives to bring manufacturing back to the United States. Ideas in Congress like “pay to stay” and tax incentives are gaining support. According to a recent survey, 64% of companies across manufacturing and industrial sectors are likely to bring production and sourcing back to North America. ¹ 

Shifting supply chains will increase business opportunities and create demand for a higher skilled labor force at the same time as an aging workforce is looking to retire. The jobs that need to be filled require specialized manufacturing skills and employees who know how to operate more automated and digitally connected equipment. The government recognizes this and is actively funding apprenticeship programs to help fill this growing skills gap.  

One example of this is the NJIT Advanced Manufacturing Program funded by the U.S. Department of Labor.  This program provides a clear path, and subsidized funding, for companies that want to enhance the skill sets of their current employees. The goal is to fill the growing skills gap that has been expected to leave an estimated 2.4 million positions unfulfilled between 2018 and 2028. ²  

The Advanced Manufacturing Program available through NJIT include modules or courses in the following topics: 

• Mechatronics 
• Computer Numerical Control (CNC) 
• Plastics Technician 
• Industrial Manufacturing Technician 
• Bio- Pharma Technician 
• Front Line Supervisor 
• Project Management 

If you are one of the many companies that needs to prepare your workforce to meet the changing needs of your business learn more about how apprenticeship programs work by attending one of our upcoming interactive webinars or visiting our website for more information.   

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