Technologically Advanced Workforce
Photo provided by Stora Enso
At least 30% of variation in profitability can be explained by human performance.
The Technologically Advanced Workforce, (TAW) Initiative’ mission is serve as a catalyst for collaborations among industry, government, associations, workers, educators, trainers, community and technical college systems, and economic development organizations. These collaborations will be nurtured to attract and develop a technically superior workforce to operate, maintain, and manage the new and advanced technologies essential to a globally competitive U.S. forest products industry.
It has been forecasted that if successful, TAW could increase industry’s profitability by 25%, as measured by return on capital employed (ROCE).
First homerun
The National Network for Pulp and Paper Technology Training, (npt)2 was established in 2004 and is supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education Centers program. With four regional nodes and 15 community colleges (npt)2 provides the pulp and paper sector of the US forest products industry with a globally competitive, technologically advanced workforce through recruiting, retaining and placing students; developing and implementing standards, certificates, curriculum and professional development; and disseminating products to other community colleges.
Second homerun
One of the goals of the TAW is to attract new employees to the industry. The National Association of Manufacturers reports that America will face a shortage of 13 million skilled industrial workers by 2020. We have a compelling message to tell. Ours is an industry of enormous opportunity for young talented individuals looking for challenging careers with tremendous earning potential. The demand for graduates is strong, scholarships are readily available, and the variety of career paths has never been greater.
With this in mind TAPPI and its partners have developed www.careersinpaper.org. This website hosts a speaker’s kit that includes a video, brochure, and PowerPoint presentation that people can present at their local schools. The video “5 Reasons to be a Paper Engineer” can also be seen on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9VJITzaSEs.
Today
Today, TAPPI and Agenda 2020 are working together to further develop the TAW through a Technologically Advanced Workforce Council. The Council is co-chaired by Larry Montague, TAPPI’s President & CEO and T. J. Murphy, Director of (npt)2. Members of the Council include paper and packaging producers and suppliers as well as delegates from Union Leadership and the Department of Labor. For more information on the TAW please contact David Bell at dbell@tappi.org.