The Monthly Workforce Newsletter of the Council of Industry
October 10, 2024
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Mfg Day: The New Faces of Manufacturing
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Manufactuirng Day Kicked off October 3rd with a live broadcast of Hudson Valley Focus Live with Tom Sipos from Schatz Bearing in Poughkeepsie
Schatz is a longtime member of the Council of Industry. The manufactur high-quality ball bearings that are known for performance and dependability. The many industries that rely on their bearings include:
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Aerospace & Defense
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Automation & Robotics
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Medical Equipment
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Semiconductor Equipment
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Construction & Agricultural Machinery
Joining the bradcast were several of Schatz employees including owenr and president Stever Pomeroy as well at other members of the leadership team and seveal apprentices. Dr. Peter Jordan, presidnet of DCC and Sarah Lee President of Think Dutchess also joined in.
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On October 4th Council Members Dorsey Metrology, MPI and Sono-Tek Hosted High school students
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Dorsey Metrology in Poughkeepsie hosted students from Dutchess BOCES. President Devon Luty and Vice President Mark Swenson led students on a tour and introduced them to the precision measurement products they may and the machines and process they employ to make them.
MPI, Inc in Poughkeepsie also hosted students from Dutchess BOCES. President Aaron Phipps introduced the students to the investment casting process and the wax injection equipment MPI makes to support that process.
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Sono-Tek in Milton hosted engineering students from Marlboro High School. Nearly 40 students were broken into small groups and led through the facility that produces high end spray coating systems for the medical device, semiconductor and pharaceutical industries.
Marlboro and Sono-Tek have partnered on Mfg Day tours for 8 years with several graduates now working for the firm.
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Valley Central High School Will Host STEAM/Advanced Manufacturing Day October 22nd from 11:30 - 1:00
The Council of Industry and Valley Central High School are looking for local professionals, schools, and companies in the STEAM fields including Manufacturing, Trades, Engineering, Architecture, Design, and related fields to participate in their third annual Community STEAM and Mfg Day October 22nd from 11:30 AM– 1:00PM.
The NYC EPA Aviation Unit helicopter will be there from 11:30 - 1:00, and Universal Technical Institute with their STEAM demonstration trailer, including virtual welding all day.
Also participating will be NY State Police's SCUBA and SORT teams.
Technology/STEAM programs from several Local high schools and middle schools will be participating In hands on activities and participants will have the opportunity to connect with local STEAM educators.
To Register or ask Questions Contact:
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Council Launches Human Resource Sub-Council
First Meeting Hosted at Chemprene in Beacon October 22nd, 8:30 AM
Optional Tour to Follow
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Introducing the Hudson Valley HR Manufacturing Sub Council
The Council of Industry is excited to announce the launch of a new quarterly networking group designed exclusively for HR professionals. This forum will provide a platform for members to connect, share best practices, and address the critical challenges facing the industry.
Connect, Learn, Grow.
HR professionals in manufacturing face a unique set of challenges. The Hudson Valley HR Manufacturing Sub-Council is a dedicated community designed to support your role. Built on the success of our HR Network, the Council of Industry is excited to announce a new quarterly networking group to support HR professionals in our association.
Join us for our inaugural meeting on October 22nd at from 8:30 to 11:00am to:
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Network with HR peers facing similar challenges
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Share experiences and best practices
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Discuss industry trends and their impact on your workforce
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Connect with invited subject matter experts to answer questions and discuss trends
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Explore innovative HR solutions
Membership in this forum is exclusive to manufacturing members.
Future meeting locations will rotate across the Hudson Valley region, with opportunities to tour member facilities and connect with peers. A light breakfast will be provided.
Due to limited capacity, early registration is strongly encouraged.
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2024 Annual Luncheon and Expo November 22nd in Poughkeepsie - Sponsors Wanted
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The Annual Luncheon & Member Expo will be held on Friday, November 22nd at the Grandview in Poughkeepsie. Our keynote speaker is Ken Girardin, Director of Research for the Empire Center for Public Policy, Inc., on election results and the current fiscal climate in New York State. The Empire Center for Public Policy, Inc. is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit think tank based in Albany, New York.
At the Luncheon we will recognize the Fall 2023 and 2024 Certificate in Manufacturing Leadership recipients. The Member Expo will precede the luncheon from 11:15 to approximately - 12:15.
The event is made possible by the generous support of sponsors. Sponsorships range in price from $2,025 – $8,750
Thank you Sponsors to date!
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Remote Certificate In Manufacturing Leadership (CML) Begins October 30th
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Have supervisors and future leaders you want to train? Consider the next session which will be held remotely beginning October 30th.
Registration Deadline: October 16th
All courses are interactive half-day sessions (8:30 am to 12:30 pm) with scheduled breaks, networking, and group discussions. These online courses require participants to have a working webcam and audio.
Though participants are encouraged to complete the course series for the most comprehensive supervisory education, the Council welcomes individual course registration.
Schedule:
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Fundamentals of Leadership - Oct. 30, Nov. 5 & 6 (3 half days)
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Best Practices and Continuous Improvement - Nov 19 & 20
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Effective Business Communication - Dec 4 & 5
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Managing Risk for Supervisors - Dec 17 & 18
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Making a Profit in Manufacturing - Jan 7 & 8
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Problem Solving and Decision Making - Jan 14 & 15
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Human Resource Management Issues - Jan 28 & 29
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Positive Motivation and Discipline - Feb 4 & 5
What to expect from an interactive online virtual classroom:
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Discussions
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Work Groups
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Breakout Group Project
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Handouts and Worksheets
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Peer to Peer Sharing
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Networking and Virtual Group Projects
Time: 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location: Virtual Classroom - Council of Industry Zoom
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Industrial Manufacturing Technician (IMT) -
The Most Versatile and Accessible Trade
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The IMT introduces people to work on the factory floor. It provides training in safety, equipment set-up and maintenance, quality systems and more. It is ideal for entry level workers and provides a solid foundation for further training in other trades such as CNC Machinist, Toolmaker, Maintenance Mechanic or Electro Magnetic Technician.
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Safety and Workplace Orientation: 100 hours
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Production Equipment Set-Up: 500 hours
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Production Equipment Operation: 900 hours
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Quality Production and Quality Assurance: 700 hours
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Routine Equipment Maintenance: 100 hours
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Inventory and Material Processes: 100 hours
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General Business Knowledge: 50 hours
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Continuous Improvement: 100 hours
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Local Options: 150 hours
Total Hours: 2,700
Minimum of 144 Hours of Related Instruction (Classroom Learning) Required for Each Apprentice for Each Year.
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Safety, Health and the Workplace
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General Workplace Safety
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First Aid & CPR (minimum 6.5 hours)
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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
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Right-to-Know/Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
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Asbestos Awareness (if present – see Attachment to Appendix B)
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Lockout/Tagout (LO/TO)
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Sexual Harassment Prevention Training (minimum 3 hours)
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Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 10-Hour General Industry
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OSHA 30-Hour General Industry (at option of sponsor)
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Congratulations Ross B. Graduating Apprentice!
The following individual recently graduated from the Council of Industry's MIAP Apprentice Program.
Ross B. – Electro-Mecnhanical Technician, Sono-Tek
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Subscribers to the Manufacturing Career Hub can view candidate resumes and contact information by searching the Candidate ID Number in the iCIMS platform.
Not yet a participant of the Career Hub? Contact Johnnieanne Hansen directly for additional candidate details or to learn more about the recruiting initiative.
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Candidate ID: 15252
Position Interest: Adminstrative Assistant
Level:
Skills: Customer Service, Microsoft Office Suite, Inventory Management, Staff Training/Mentoring, Proofreading, AS/400
Education: Bachelor of Science, Music
Clubs/Volunteering: Orange County Arts Council, Walk to End Alzheimer's, Friends of the Library, Toastmasters International, Henry Hudson Club – Competent Leadership and Competent Communicator awards, National Trust for Historic Preservation
Availability:Open to Interviews
Location/Commute: Resides in Wallkill, NY
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Candidate ID: 32742
Position Interest: Corporate Communications Associate
Level:
Skills: Microsoft Office and, Proficient in operating both PC and Mac platforms.
Education: Masters of Science - Integrated Maketing Communicaitns, Bachelor of Busiess Administration - Marketing
Availability: Open to Interviews, Available with 3 weeks notice.
Location/Commute: Resides in Fishkill, NY. Open to commuting within a 50 mile radius. Searching for hybrid roles.
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Candidate ID: 32758
Position Interest: Open to diverse Roles and opportunities
Level:
Skills: Cash handling, Customer Service, Communication, Food preparation, Sales, Operation of household, Time management, Active Listening.
Availability: Open to Interviews.
Location/Commute: Resides in Middletown, NY
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News for HR and Workforce Professionals
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Perceptyx, a people analytics company, found in a survey of 2,300 people that 1 in 3 employees has experienced recent conflict stemming from political disagreements at work. What’s more, 80% of those who faced such conflicts are actively seeking a job, making them 1.6 times more likely to quit their current post than their counterparts.
HR experts are advocating for a proactive approach to mitigating risks.
Some specific policies that can be implemented by HR departments in the runup to Election Day include:
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reiterating policies on respectful workplace conduct and political discourse
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offering options for remote work or personal time for employees who could feel overwhelmed by the election results and resulting conflicts
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equipping team leaders with tools to handle potential clashes and support struggling team members
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sharing with the rank-and-file information about employee assistance programs (EAPs) and counseling services
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maintaining neutrality on political matters while focusing on unity and shared goals
Employers must also consider the legal ramifications. “The risk in these polarized times is that political discourse may quickly devolve into discriminatory or harassing behavior that violates both employer policies and federal, state and local law,” said Alice Jump, partner at the New York law firm Reavis Page Jump.
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What Will the Presidential Election Mean for HR?
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Regardless of which direction the presidential election goes in November, said Sonderling—who left the EEOC last month after four years with the agency—“things will change drastically” for HR. The Biden administration’s heavy union focus would continue under a potential Harris administration. Still, Sonderling expects Biden’s “old-school Michigan labor” focus would “take a backseat” to a concentration on civil rights issues under Kamala Harris’ leadership.
Harris—whom Sonderling noted sent a letter to his former agency while she was in the Senate inquiring about racial discrimination in video interviewing—would likely put the federal spotlight on HR issues, including pay equity, pay discrimination, pay transparency, racial and sex discrimination, and paid family leave. A potential second Donald Trump administration would also feature “a lot of interest” in HR-related topics, though markedly different from his Democratic opponent, with a focus on the “really technical business issues.” This could include making it easier for companies to hire independent contractors without misclassification issues and easier to function in the joint employer space free of liability, for instance. The “gig economy,” Sonderling added, would be a significant driver of Trump’s business policies.
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Why ‘Fauxductivity’ is Taking Hold, and What HR Needs to Do
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New buzzwords are somewhat common within the HR world—but that doesn’t mean HR leaders can ignore them, experts say. This is especially true when such catchphrases relate to employee wellness, like the latest: fauxductivity.
Simply defined, fauxductivity describes employees faking productivity while on the job—particularly empowered by remote and hybrid settings. According to recent research by Workhuman, while two-thirds of employees deny faking productivity, nearly half of managers say it’s a common problem.
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Healthcare Premiums Are Soaring Even as Inflation Eases, in Charts
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Inflation is easing across much of the economy. For healthcare? Not yet. The cost of employer health insurance rose 7% for a second straight year, maintaining a growth rate not seen in more than a decade, according to an annual survey by the healthcare nonprofit KFF. The back-to-back years of rapid increases have added more than $3,000 to the average family premium, which reached roughly $25,500 this year.
Businesses absorbed this year’s higher premium costs—one of several signals in recent years that employers are sensitive to the limits of what workers can afford, said Matthew Rae, associate director of the KFF healthcare marketplace program and an author of the survey. Employers spent about $1,880 more this year, bringing their average cost for family premiums to $19,276. Workers’ share of the average family premium dropped by roughly $280 from last year, to $6,296.
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Employers Turn to Alternative Strategies to Control Health Care Spending
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Employers expect health care costs to increase by 7.7% next year, up from 6.9% in 2024 and 6.5% in 2023. As a result, they are considering different approaches to promote employee wellbeing and hold the line on costs.
According to the 2024 Best Practices in Healthcare Survey from WTW, more than half of employers plan to implement programs that will reduce total costs, and just as many intend to adopt plan design and network strategies that steer workers to lower-cost, higher-quality providers and sites of care. Only 34% expect to shift costs to employees through premium contributions, and just 20% will promote account-based health plans or high-deductible health plans.
Proactive efforts to control costs over the next two years include:
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Taking vendor or health plans out to bid, 43%;
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Evaluating employee assistance and mental health programs, 38%;
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Exploring narrow networks, 30%, and centers of excellence, 25%; and
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Considering new technology-enabled solutions for managing costs, with 54% exploring navigation or technology that shares provider price and quality information with members.
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OSHA Releases List of Top 10 Violations for 2024
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The safety and health of employees is a critical issue confronting managers in manufacturing. But no matter what stage your organization may be at in its safety journey, you must have the most current information available to make sound, strategic decisions.
That, of course, should include OSHA’s list of the top 10 most frequently cited violations for 2023. OSHA makes this information available to the public so organizations can take proactive measures to address these and other issues in an effort to achieve zero incidents or accidents.
2024 Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards (FY 2023)
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Fall Protection: 7,271 violations General requirements, construction (29 CFR 1926.501)
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Hazard Communication: 3,213 violations General industry (29 CFR 1910.1200)
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Ladders: 2,978 violations Construction (29 CFR 1926.1053)
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Scaffolding: 2,859 violations Construction (29 CFR 1926.451)
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Powered Industrial Trucks: 2,561 violations General industry (29 CFR 1910.178)
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Control of Hazardous Energy (lockout/tagout): 2,554 violations General industry (29 CFR 1910.147)
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Respiratory Protection: 2,481 violations General industry (29 CFR 1910.134)
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Fall Protection Training: 2,112 violations Training requirements (29 CFR 1926.503)
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Eye and Face Protection (Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment): 2,074 violations Construction (29 CFR 1926.102)
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Machinery and Machine Guarding: 1,644 violations General industry (29 CFR 1910.212)
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10 Ways to Keep Employees Invested in Your Company Long Term
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As new generations enter the workforce, a shift in employee expectations has challenged traditional approaches to retention. Offering competitive salaries is no longer enough — today’s employees want more from their workplace experience. This changing environment has made long-term employee retention feel increasingly difficult for many businesses.
To help, Rolling Stone Culture Council members share what it takes to build a workplace where people want to stay and grow. Follow their recommendations to make your workplace a destination employees won’t want to leave.
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Perception of Manufacturing Trade Work Trails Many Other Sectors
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Manufacturing leaders looking to bring in the next generation of trade workers have their work cut out for them.
That’s not a huge new development but it is a major takeaway from the new 2024 Perception of the Trades survey of nearly 25,000 households’ attitudes to having a child or other family member start a career in the trades. While nearly 80% of survey respondents who were discussing possible career paths told IndustryWeek’s colleagues at Endeavor Business Intelligence that they would be ‘extremely likely’ to recommend a trade career to young people, only about one-third of people would strongly encourage their young adults to become an industrial machinery mechanic, welder or mobile heavy equipment mechanic.
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Talent Issues — Not Technology — Make Up Half Of Manufacturers’ Top Challenges
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Among the top 10 workforce challenges facing manufacturers today, 50% involve people-related concerns rather than technology, according to a Sept. 24 report from global technology intelligence firm ABI Research. Manufacturing decision-makers highlighted issues such as recruiting quality staff, boosting staff retention and improving workforce skills. Manufacturers reported concerns such as staff being more likely to be trade union members and wage expectations among new recruits.
“Recruiting, retaining and upskilling staff are among the top challenges manufacturers face today,” Michael Larner, a distinguished analyst at ABI Research, said in a statement. “Skilled individuals are required to operate and maintain equipment while also focusing on optimizing production lines. Simply put, there aren’t enough of these individuals in the workforce today.” In a survey of 461 manufacturing decision-makers in the U.S., Germany and Malaysia, 69% said a lack of expertise prevents digitalization at their company. Respondents listed staff training among the top investment areas for the next year to improve productivity and quality
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iCIMS September Labor Market Insights – The Labor Market Continues to Cool
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iCIMS August data was both a little good and little notso-good news. On the upside, job openings continued to rise, up 5% from last August, and applications and hires remained steady. On the downside, hires were 11% below August 2023 levels.
APO in August was 31, the highest amount yet in 2024, creating a market that puts employers at an advantage.
The steady uptick in openings could be a sign of more hires to come in the next few months. Or it could reflect how hard it is to find the right candidates to fill those open roles, despite all the applicants.
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Manufacturing Matters Podcast
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In this podcast episode, Harold King, President of the Council of Industry, sits down with Deborah Smook, Co-Owner of TurboFil Packaging Machines, LLC. We dive into the world of custom packaging solutions for the pharmaceutical and medical device industries. TurboFil Packaging Machines specializes in designing and manufacturing machinery that precisely fills and packages drugs into vials, syringes, and other containers, focusing on various types of liquids and semi-solids.
Deborah shares insights into their role within the broader pharmaceutical industry, highlighting their commitment to precision and safety in packaging critical medications like Naloxone, a life-saving nasal spray for opioid overdoses.
Listen Here!
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