Large manufacturers have a vested interest in securing a pipeline of STEM talent and are making big investments in educational programs around the country. And while these grants and partnerships may directly benefit their own labor pools, they also are helping develop a more abundant and skilled workforce for the entire sector.
For instance, the Toyota USA Foundation recently issued two grants worth a combined $2.35 million to expand workforce opportunities in the manufacturing sector. A $2 million grant will go to Project Lead the Way, to support more than 100 K-12 schools throughout the country with related program implementation. The National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity also will receive $350,000 to create promotional tools and outreach strategies for educators to use with students in the K-12 and community college systems.
In addition to aiming these initiatives at a broad age range, organizations like Toyota also are aiming to reach women and minorities in under-served communities, which could be a significant source of untapped talent. Mike Gross, President of Toyota USA Foundation, said that these investments could better prepare the nation’s youth for future opportunities. “Persistent workforce gaps in STEM fields can be solved by increased participation and inclusion of diverse students,” Gross said.
Toyota also recently granted $1.7 million to the Southwest Independent School District in San Antonio to spur STEM programs at its new high school. It also granted $4 million to California State University to support the design, construction and equipment of a new 87,000-square-foot innovation center that will include labs and opportunities to inspire students from kindergarten through college.
“Our goal with these grants and contributions is to make sure that…Washington students…are getting the skills they need to fill the jobs that we know are going to come open at Boeing and the aerospace industry.”
Boeing also has been making large investments in STEM education initiatives. In Washington state alone in 2016, the aerospace manufacturer granted $6 million to three universities and a number of other educational programs. Bill McSherry, vice president of government relations and global corporate citizenship for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said the grants are an investment in its own future. A coming wave of workers hitting retirement age and a lack of skilled graduates means many manufacturers could benefit from investments and public-private partnerships.
“Our goal with these grants and contributions is to make sure that…Washington students…are getting the skills they need to fill the jobs that we know are going to come open at Boeing and the aerospace industry,” McSherry said.
In 2015, Lockheed Martin started a three-year program to grant $2 million to 184 public schools in Orange County, Fla. The funds were intended to pay for school district expansion of Project Lead the Way and to cover teacher training and tools such as apps, computer upgrades and robotics kids. Rick Edwards, Boeing executive vice president for missiles and fire control, said that the company has had a presence in the area since 1955 and will need to hire an additional 110,000 engineers in the next 15 years.
Mid-market manufacturers should be doing their part too. As key employers in their communities, it’s critical that all companies, not just large ones, think about how they can prepare the next generation for manufacturers’ future needs.
The U.S. Department of Commerce estimates there will be more than 1.2 million unfilled STEM jobs by 2018, so it’s important that everyone work together to prepare the workforce to fill those jobs.
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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.
