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Why should your business be concerned about workforce development? The answer may be found in the following questions:
The development of and access to a well-educated, skilled workforce is essential for businesses to remain competitive in today’s global economy. Workforce development is not just about preparing youth for entry into the workplace, it is also about the continuous training and development of existing workers. What Is Your Company Doing To Ensure Its Competitive Future? To submit an answer for printing in the next AlamoWorkSource quarterly newsletter, please email or fax to (210) 272-3290 - Attn: Communications Office. Not all submissions will be able to be printed. Manufacturing Industry Cluster Initiative Kicks-off Alamo WorkSource has launched its second in a series of industry cluster steering committees, this one for the manufacturing sector. The first such committee was for healthcare/bioscience. Plans are to launch five such committees over the next 12 months. Other targeted industry sectors include financial services, aerospace/aviation, and information technology/telecommunication. The local industry cluster initiative mirrors a state initiative launched by Governor Perry. It is also one of the first such efforts launched at the local/regional level. The purpose of the steering committee is to support the continued economic growth of the manufacturing sector and help establish a pipeline of educated, skilled workers to meet the current and future needs of the industry. The steering committee provides a framework for communication and alignment of education and workforce efforts to the needs of employers. While not historically a manufacturing center (representing only 6% of total employment), the Alamo region has a diverse set of manufacturing capacities from food processing to auto manufacturing. There are over 1,000 manufacturers in the region, employing nearly 50,000 people. Most of the region’s manufacturers are small business, employing less than 100 individuals. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the manufacturing sector accounts for 14% of the U.S. GDP and 11% of total employment. Manufacturing salaries and benefits average $54,000, higher than the average for the total private sector. The National Associate of Manufacturers reports that 90 percent of manufacturers nationwide are experiencing a shortage of qualified skilled production workers, including machinists, operators, and technicians. These are jobs that are high-skill, requiring advanced technical skills beyond high school, with good wages and benefits.
The manufacturing industry cluster steering committee is being supported by the San Antonio Manufacturers Association and the Alamo Community College District. The steering committee consists of 35 members representing a cross-section of employers within the manufacturing sector as well as representatives from school districts, ACCD, and UTSA. The industry cluster initiative is a long-term approach to addressing the region’s workforce challenges. For more information, contact Alan Miller, Alamo WorkSource Executive Director, at alan.miller@twc.state.tx.us Employers Honored at Annual Workforce Development Banquet Alamo WorkSource marked its tenth anniversary of providing valuable workforce services at its Fourth Annual Alamo Workforce Systems Awards Banquet, held on October 18 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Clint Swindall, President and CEO of Verbalocity, a leadership and training consulting firm, served as the event’s keynote speaker. Swindall, a noted trainer and motivational speaker, set the tone for the evening with his inspirational message about leadership. In addition to looking back over a decade of challenges and growth, Alamo WorkSource also recognized present day accomplishments and contributions to the regional workforce system. “Alamo WorkSource has experienced tremendous change and growth since its inception in 1996, providing thousands of job seekers and employers with workforce services, resources and opportunities” said Alan Miller, Alamo WorkSource executive director. “There’s no better way to celebrate our achievements than honor those who have contributed to our success and congratulate those who have achieved success through the system’s services.” Awards were presented to employers in three categories: Frontier Award, Employer Award of Excellence, and the Small Business Award of Excellence. Rackspace Managed Hosting was named the 2006 winner of the Frontier Award. This award was created to recognize the commitment of these companies to lifelong, continuous training and improvement of their employees. Rackspace created its own “University” to encourage continuous learning by employees from the moment they begin with Rackspace through their professional career. From “Rookie Orientation” and technical certification and product training to managerial training and personal development courses, such as yoga, personal finance, fanatical parenting and health and fitness, Rackspace commits more than $2 million a year toward employee education. According to company officials, the “University” enhances the Rackspace “culture of knowledge, empowerment and balance” and has played a crucial role in the company’s increasing success.
The Employer Award of Excellence was presented to Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas and Vulcan Materials Company, in recognition of the positive impact they have had on the regional workforce system with active involvement and use of the workforce system services. Toyota will employ 2,000 production and skilled team members by mid-2007, and the company has taken full advantage of the services of Alamo WorkSource to create a comprehensive job search and training program. Toyota used a multitude of recruiting options to attract prospective employees and has partnered with local education institutions to create training programs aimed at fostering the growth of a skilled manufacturing labor pool. Toyota also implemented a program for new employees that will provide training over the next 10 years. Vulcan Materials began contracting with the San Antonio College Continuing Education Department to provide English as a Second Language and literacy training at three company locations in October 2005. Vulcan provides the trainers salaries, travel costs, books and materials and early release for employees. Vulcan has also provided portable classrooms with all the amenities necessary to create a pleasant school environment.
The Small Business Award of Excellence, which recognizes a business with fewer than 100 employees that has made a positive impact on the regional workforce system, went to INCELL Corporation LLC and Xytronics, Ltd. A biotechnology company that provides research and development of clinical products, INCELL participates in the San Antonio Ambassador Summer internship program designed to interest college students to remain in San Antonio after graduation by exposure to local companies. INCELL’s President Dr. Mary Pat Moyer takes a personal interest in the program and presents industry information to the students regularly and provides a wide range of opportunities for students within the company. Xytronics, who provides electronic manufacturing services for industrial and commercial customers, began working with Alamo WorkSource in 2000, when the company expanded into Pleasanton. The company works closely with Alamo WorkSource’s career center representatives and makes a strong impact in the community with high-skilled, high-paying jobs.
Alamo WorkSource salutes the 2006 awardees and all those who were nominated. Corporate Champions for Children VALERO ENERGY CORPORATION has donated $10,000 to Alamo WorkSource. The funds are earmarked as local match for child care quality improvement activities. Alamo WorkSource will be able to draw down an additional $19,371 in federal matching funds generating almost $2 additional dollars for every dollar invested. The $29,371 will be used to sponsor a conference on school readiness for child caregivers from licensed and registered centers and homes in our region. One out of every 3 children in Bexar County is not prepared to enter school. The conference will cover topics in the areas of literacy, numeracy, and other school readiness instruction for children from birth through age 5. Continuing education units will be issued to the teachers and administrators in attendance. The State Center for Early Childhood Development at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston's school readiness program called the Texas Early Education Model (TEEM) will be highlighted. Gov. Rick Perry was joined by Massachusetts and Missouri Governors and toured a TEEM center in Dallas earlier this year and stated the program has been a dramatic success. Gov. Perry also noted that children who participated in the TEEM program are more prepared to succeed in reading, writing, and verbal communication. The conference is planned for 2007. SECURITY SERVICE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION in partnership with AWS and Smart Start for Teachers is sponsoring two workshops targeted for child care center owners and administrators. Through Alamo WorkSource’s partnership with SSFCU, each training session will provide 2 hours of credit toward the State's Child Care Licensing mandated annual professional development. The first session on Basic IRS Requirements was held on November 9th at the Small Business Development Center at UTSA's downtown campus. The second session will be held on November 15th on Keeping the Books for Child Care Professionals will be held at SSFCU's corporate headquarters on La Cantera Parkway. Financial professionals will offer up-to-date and important guidance for child care businesses in the areas of sound financial management as well as tax and bookkeeping practices.
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