Innovation at Work: Manufacturing Month
Skillpoint Alliance
We provide a gateway for individuals to transform their lives through rigorous skills-based training and education.
Welcome back to Innovation at Work, a monthly blog from Skillpoint Alliance that features industry insights, student success stories and program updates showcasing innovation in action.
Throughout October, we celebrate National Manufacturing Month, a time dedicated to educating the community about the manufacturing industry and highlighting how manufacturing plays a major role in the success of our economy.
Texas is one of the few states that has no corporate or personal income tax, and is the top exporting state in the US, making it a desirable location for many manufacturing companies like Samsung Semiconductor Austin, Tokyo Electron US and Tesla . As more companies establish their headquarters and warehouses in the Central Texas area, it is imperative that we have a trained workforce that can fill these jobs.
In fact, in April of this year, the Biden administration announced a multibillion-dollar agreement with Samsung Austin Semiconductor, one of our employer mentors and where many of our manufacturing students secure employment, to create at least 21,500 jobs and leverage up to $40 billion in CHIPS funding to train and develop the local workforce, securing Texas’ place as the largest semiconductor workforce in the nation.
Seeing the need for trained manufacturing workers in the area, we created a six-week certified production technician program that teaches students about manufacturing safety, quality practices & measurement, manufacturing processes & production, and maintenance awareness.
To help students gain hands-on experience, we established a robust employer mentor program that gives our certified production technician students the opportunity to visit local manufacturing facilities to see the manufacturing process in real time, and experience working on a fab floor. We’re extremely grateful for our manufacturing employer partners who continue to invest in and hire our students.
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One of our dedicated employer partners, Kyle Swartz, senior U.S. human resources manager at Tekscend Photomask Corp. said, “Advanced manufacturing provides meaningful and abundant opportunities. Our company directly employs those who wish to enter this dynamic industry. As one of our workforce development partners, Skillpoint thoroughly prepares those with the skills, interest, and desire to start and flourish in advanced manufacturing careers.”
Recently, Skillpoint Alliance received the Texas Talent Connection grant from the Office of Governor Abbott whose funds are meant to bolster workforce development training programs that lead to job placement, increased wages and improve job retention. This grant has allowed us to connect with even more students by giving us the funds needed to replicate our certified production technician training program in San Marcos and New Braunfels.
As the demand for skilled manufacturing workers continues to grow, investing in workforce training is more important than ever. Programs like our certified production technician course not only equip residents with the technical skills needed for today’s advanced manufacturing jobs, but also ensure that our local industries have access to atalent pool that can meet their evolving needs. By continuing to develop and expand these programs, we can help secure Central Texas' role as a leader in manufacturing while providing individuals with the tools to build successful and sustainable careers.
Chief Executive Officer, Skillpoint Alliance