In fact, German companies with extensive operations in the U.S., such as Siemens, are replicating some of their apprenticeship programs here. Siemens opened what it calls the world’s most advanced gas-turbine plant in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2011 but had difficulty in finding people to operate it. In particular, the company needed people trained in mechatronics, a new interdisciplinary profession that includes mechanical, computer and electronic engineering with software control and system design.
The company developed a skills-assessment method and trained or retrained 500 people during the ramp up of the plant, says Eric A. Spiegel, Siemens USA president and chief executive.
“Mechatronics is a new interdisciplinary profession that includes mechanical, computer and electronic engineering with software control and system design.”
In addition, it created an apprenticeship program with Central Piedmont Community College. “Currently, there are a couple dozen recent high school graduates and veterans who are sitting in a classroom in Charlotte learning about advanced mechatronics,” Spiegel says. “These students are in the second year of a 3½ year apprenticeship program. They attend classes on advanced mechatronics half of the time.” The other half of the time, they work in the plant.
Siemens pays the students throughout this period and they will receive a certificate from the state of North Carolina that says they are trained in mechatronics. “They are guaranteed a job in our plant when they graduate,” Spiegel explains. The starting salary is $55,000 a year.
Assessing Apprenticeships
At least some CEOs of small and mid-sized companies appear to be imitating aspects of the German system—but on a highly localized basis rather than on a national one. One is Michael Araten, CEO of the Rodon Group, a privately held, mid-sized company that makes an impressive 5 billion to 6 billion customized, plastic products each year for the medical, pharmaceutical, consumer-products, construction, food and toy industries.
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
