Speaking of Good Works

…speak those things which are not, as though they were…

(Romans 4:17)

I am a firm believer that when you speak your desires into the universe, if they align with God Will, He begins to move things around in your favor. Two years ago, I challenged our son to participate in a 5k event with me and reminded him of the purpose of the races, to train to endure and complete. (For the entire blog post, read http://ltr-latrobe-mfg.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-light-of-good-works.html). Fast forward to now:  not only has every Saturday of this month been consumed with charity races, he currently runs for his high school cross country team. In fact, he’s at a midweek race in Batesville as I type this.

The words that resonate for me are to train to endure and complete. That’s how I am feeling these days about the workforce preparedness efforts in this region. Getting to the desired outcome is a marathon and not a sprint. If the work were easy, the problem would have been solved years ago. The more I learn, the more I see the degrees of systemic institutional and generational layers that must be penetrated.

The funny thing for me is that I find myself stepping out of my comfort zone of operating as process driven and leaning on my relational skills. For a self-proclaimed non-people person, no one could have ever impressed upon me that one day, I would be consumed by community relation activities and that my motivation could be summed up by this meme: I am not in this work for the income. I do this work for the OUTCOME…changing lives. The marathon analogy (to train to endure and complete) holds true if we have any hope of changing the systems and processes most impacting our desired outcomes of our workforce development efforts.

I wondered how I got to this place and started to examine my actions. I believe in the power of I AM. It is no coincidence that about two years ago, I began a morning routine of reciting a list decrees that I speak over my life. One of them is that I decree that I AM a community servant. In ways that I never imagined, I am witnessing God move some things around and open so many doors that I never knew existed.  What are you speaking over your life and your purposed work? What is your expected outcome? Feel free to comment or send me an email to latanyua.robinson@gmail.com. If you like this post and want to catch up on some of my previous discussions, please visit the full Purposed Work blog at http://ltr-latrobe-mfg.blogspot.com/.

Access to Good Works

…for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit…

(Ephesians 2:18)

I am learning the hard way to choose my words carefully: People hear what they want to hear. I made the mistake of making a general statement, that when heard by someone who did not want to receive the message, applied one broad statement to a whole population. My takeaway is that people often forget that they benefit and have access to opportunities simply because they were born or live under what society has normalized.

The word privilege sometimes has a negative connotation. The reality is that some groups do have certain advantages from membership in a specific social class. Personally, if I remove the most well-known thoughts of privilege (sex and race), in America, I benefit because I am

Right handed vs. left handed

Married vs. single / divorced

Christian vs. all other religions

Heterosexual vs. LBGPQA

Children vs. childless

Formally educated vs. informal

English speaking vs. other languages

Employed vs. unemployed

Aged +18<65 vs. under 18 or over 65

Full able body vs. differently-able body

To learn more, visit http://jpfarr.com/presentations/

Workforce is a new skill for me. My experience in job training was derived from internal employer sponsored programs. I am gaining a crash course in diversity and perspectives on how people gain access to alternative training programs available to the general job-seeking public. From the crowd who does not realize how privilege grants them access, I often hear spiteful comments about people looking for “free stuff.” The reality is that prospects looking to re-tool or re-train are not looking for a “handout, but a hand up,” to the same opportunities available to the privileged class.

I tend to view processes from my perspective and personal experiences, without thinking of access from the perspective of those who do not share the same privileges that I have. I am looking for a paradigm shift in how to help more people gain access to available training. In an attempt to produce better outcomes from our programs, I challenged myself to consider how to overcome some process obstacles from the perspective of my non-privileged status. For example, how could I find out about training opportunities if I did not have home Wi-Fi, or access to the internet, or a computer? Or how could I apply for a job if the applications (paper or electronic) are available in English only? Or how would I perform on a mechanical agility test if I were left handed?

My personal learning in workforce development has become a humbling experiment in not projecting my experiences onto anyone else. As hard or different as I thought my journey has been, I never realized how much access and privilege I have had simply because of membership into specific social classes. How are you improving access to training and job opportunities for the diverse populations in your community? Feel free to comment or send me an email to latanyua.robinson@gmail.com. If you like this post and want to catch up on some of my previous discussions, please visit the full Purposed Work blog at http://ltr-latrobe-mfg.blogspot.com/.

Profit for Good Works

For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world 

and loses or forfeits himself?

(Luke 9:25)

I have a hard time believing that an organization can operate as profit motivated AND be genuinely committed to helping people and changing lives. As the saying goes, you cannot serve two masters. Devotion to one will take priority over the other because of human nature. If you disagree, I challenge you to educate me on an organization that has managed to do both, effectively helping the intended benefactors.

My experiences in workforce readiness have exposed me to a lot of generational poverty phenomena that I never knew existed. I thought that since I grew up poor, I had a baseline understanding of “the struggle,” that would allow my current middle class situation to be a bridge to inspire others of what they too could achieve. Wrong! My first mistake was not having a real understanding of the differences between poor and poverty. I thought we were poor because although my parents worked, there was never enough to cover our wants, so we always heard our parents praying for us to do/have better (education, jobs, homes, etc). The difference is that people living in poverty do not have the luxury to hope for tomorrow because they are trying to overcome basic needs (food, clothes, shelter, etc.) today. For a better explanation, visit http://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-poor-and-vs-poverty-and-vs-scarcity/.

Living in the mid-south, I have become mindful of the economy driven by the poverty industry. I started paying attention after I was sarcastically informed that while agriculture and transportation/distribution are both leading industries, a close third is the poverty industry. While many people are quick to point out the profit margins from payday lenders, pawn shops, casinos, and lotteries, has any one questioned the motivation of many of the so-called not-for-profit organizations? In my opinion, I have seen a lot of government funded programs, written on the back of poor people, where the resources are not directly disseminated to the intended benefactors.

As I go about my purposed work, I find myself getting frustrated in trying to do the right things in workforce preparedness, but constantly battling bureaucracy that does nothing to help overcome generational poverty dynamics. This work is not as simple as merely providing training and helping people to find good works, or better jobs. There is a societal disruption out there waiting to be examined and executed. Can you help me to discover it? So I ask the same question that I posed earlier. Are there any examples of profit motivated companies genuinely affecting change to pull whole communities out of poverty? Feel free to comment or send me an email to latanyua.robinson@gmail.com. If you like this post and want to catch up on some of my previous discussions, please visit the full Purposed Work blog at http://ltr-latrobe-mfg.blogspot.com/.

Reconnect to Good Works

Most of my professional career, I have benefited from hiring students from tech schools, without actually visiting one. For the past two decades, many of the industrial technicians or maintenance personnel were graduates of programs like Ivy Tech, Augusta Tech, or Rosedale Tech. While participating in Leadership Beaumont, I briefly toured the welding program at Lamar Institute of Technology. Not until I became actively involved in workforce readiness did I take the time to get a holistic view of what today’s tech schools offer. This is not your 80s variety vocational training program…

Growing up, the closest post-secondary school in the county was the Rice Belt Technical Institute. The only people that I personally knew went for secretarial training. None of the graduates from my family ever gained employment using those skills, so I never even considered the school as an option for me.

Fast-forward to my first tour of modern-day workforce development training and I visited one of the local Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) campuses. The purpose of the visit was to understand the regional best practice for effective adult education that leads to real employment and advancement opportunities. The full-time programs range from twelve to twenty months to complete. The format is meant to simulate an actual workday, so students receive both classroom and hands on training, often dressed in uniformed attire.

The initial topic of connection that struck me was the cost. Between financial aid, the Tennessee Reconnect (http://tnreconnect.gov/), or the Tennessee Promise (http://tnpromise.gov/), most students can complete these program without building up long term debt related to loans. This model proves that retraining efforts are within reach for adults willing to commit the time to earn the certifications.

Walking through the various programs, another area of connection was the engagement of the instructors. Each was working alongside the students, demonstrating applied knowledge of the subject. When we walked through the diesel maintenance shop, the instructor was underneath the frame, but slid out to share information about student successes, employment opportunities, salaries, and his program’s wait list (there is a huge demand for his graduates, a testament to the workmanship he is instilling in his students). Unique to the TCAT model, instructors are incentivized by their program placement rates.

TCAT offers a wide range of technical career programs. To learn the details of the full-time courses offered in the Memphis area, visit http://tcatmemphis.edu/fulltime-programs. I suggest exploring the program details to learn about the contact hours, potential certifications granted, and most importantly, the gainful employment information. Since I was so impressed by the diesel technology program, here are the linked examples of the kind of data you will find:

http://tcatmemphis.edu/fulltime-programs/diesel-powered-equipment-technology

http://tcatmemphis.edu/consumerinfo/?program=memphis/Gedt-591

Be sure to click on the red consumer information tab, which provides details about the SOC Code, program success rates, and job placement rates. A 92% placement rate is best-in-class in my book!

I know the quality of the students and the value of this type of education from a professional perspective. As a parent, a real test for me will be how I feel about technical training programs personally if our son comes home and informs us that he has chosen this route to pursue his career goals, rather than going to a four-year college. What are your thoughts on the career opportunities afforded from technical certification programs? Feel free to comment or send me an email to latanyua.robinson@gmail.com. If you like this post and want to catch up on some of my previous discussions, please visit the full Purposed Work blog at http://ltr-latrobe-mfg.blogspot.com/.

Harvest Season & Good Works

The harvest is plentiful,

but the laborers are few.

(Matthew 9:37)

I attended a neighborhood block party in my hometown last Sunday. New Edition Day began in 2011 as a gathering of family and friends who lived and supported each other in our small community on the northeast side of town. It's hard to imagine 500 people in such a tiny area until you experience it for yourself. I saw many faces that I had not seen in 30 years. And for all the people who live in town and those who came home specifically for the weekend celebration, there were noticeable people missing: those who currently work in the rice operations supply chain. Why were those workers not present for the Sunday before Labor Day fellowship? In common local terms, it's harvest season.

On Tuesday, I toured a high volume assembly plant. Our guide explained that the operation was just beginning harvest season. Confused, because I equated harvest with agricultural industries, I asked her to explain harvest season. She shared that it's another way of saying peak season, that time of year when they ramp up production to meet the expected demand and orders related to retail shopping season. Out of curiosity, I began to research the connotation and various meanings of harvest season.

Apparently, harvest season is a term that relates back to the plantation economy, tied to mass production in agriculture. Historically, plantation crops included cotton, rubber, sugar cane, tobacco, figs, rice, kapok, sisal, and indigo. The longer a crop's harvest period, the more efficient plantations were (Boundless, 2015). Fast forward to the modern day use of the phrase, it has application in high volume production environments. In labor intensive operations, the additional labor hours required are covered by excessive overtime and temporary workers.

I am beginning to understand how the plantation economy and mindset still affects workforce readiness in the Mid-South. We have work to do to overcome generational deficits in workplace preparedness. Understanding that the shift from an agriculture economy to an industrial economy to the high-tech economy requires a paradigm shift at how we train and motivate the most important piece that impacts productivity and profitability: the direct labor. If not, we shall continue down the path of the more things change, the more things remain the same. What innovative or technology solutions are you introducing in your labor intensive operations during your harvest season? Feel free to comment or send me an email to latanyua.robinson@gmail.com. If you like this post and want to catch up on some of my previous discussions, please visit the full Purposed Work blog at http://ltr-latrobe-mfg.blogspot.com/.

Source: Boundless. “The Plantation Economy and the Planter Class.” Boundless U.S. History. Boundless, 21 Jul. 2015. Retrieved 11 Sep. 2015 from https://www.boundless.com/u-s-history/textbooks/boundless-u-s-history-textbook/slavery-and-reform-1820-1840-16/the-old-south-121/the-plantation-economy-and-the-planter-class-645-6993/

Resources for Good Works

Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.

Be inventive in hospitality.

(Romans 12:13)

I had one of those weeks where I submitted a monthly report that was underwhelming for me to publish. We had a lot of meetings last month that produced a lot of narratives. When I read over the document, there were a lot of “fixin’ to’s,” but very few, if any, quantifiable metrics. To know me is to know that I am process and goal driven. I must be able to report measurable progress of my works and activities over time. My immediate prayer: while working in the workforce readiness environment, please help me to never lose focus on the necessity to deliver a corporate solution.

In full disclosure, I did not come to that prayer request on my own. Shortly after pressing the send button to forward the progress report, I participated in a conference call. The topic of discussion was learning more of the best practices of other career readiness and workforce development program successes through the deployment of employer resource networks (ERN).

The primary goal of an ERN is to provide a cost-effective solution to reduce turnover and to improve productivity for the employers. The program especially targets the workforce who are employed, or underemployed, where life situations happen that mean the difference between getting to or staying at work, versus having to miss a day of work to resolve potential crises. ERNs are not benevolent programs or gifts. The model is designed so that “success coaches” are available in the workplace to guide employees to resources so that they do not have to miss work. The employer benefits by proactively investing in an on-site person who knows the local community services, preventing the supervisor or human resources staff from dealing with these matters. My take-away from the meeting was that productivity programs like ERNs must be treated like corporate initiatives, where the potential benefactors, employers, must pay-to-play and expect a measurable return on investment. To learn more about successful regional employer resource networks, visit http://schenectadyworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/West-Michigan-Team-ERN-Overview.pdf or http://www.ern-ny.com/.

On my drive home, I thought about the activities that we are engaged in and asked myself to answer the questions I challenge our team to consider everyday: What product or service do we provide that our customers/clients/partners are willing to pay a subscription or service fee to receive? How do we quantify that value? If we cannot clearly articulate measurable solutions in a monthly progress report, what good are we…? Our September time resources will be allocated differently and more effectively.

A couple of weeks ago, I asked for examples of what other communities are doing to meet the needs of job seekers that address generational deficits in finding gainful employment. The ERN model is a purposed solution for removing barriers that impact an employers’ productivity and profitability. Could you get the corporations in your community to buy into and deploy a proven pay-to-play resource? Feel free to comment or send me an email to latanyua.robinson@gmail.com.If you like this post and want to catch up on some of my previous discussions, please visit the full Purposed Work blog at http://ltr-latrobe-mfg.blogspot.com/.

He Delivered Good Works

…my only aim is to finish the race and

complete the work the Lord Jesus has given me…

(Acts 20:24)

Every now and again, you get a call that takes you back to a simpler place and time. Yesterday, I was informed that another pillar from my childhood community was called home to glory. That news triggered thoughts of people who influenced our lives, simply by their presence.

If you ask anyone who lived on the north end of Stuttgart in the 70s or 80s about their postman, the answer is one of two names: If you lived on the east side of town, Mr. Thompkins was your mailman. If you lived on the west side, Mr. Spears delivered your mail.

My personal interaction with Mr. Spears began in fourth grade when we moved on to North Spring Street. Looking back, we lived on a section of the street with three local educators: Mrs. Austin, Mrs. Walker, and Mrs. Spears. (Thinking back, how ironic was it that the Thompkins family shared the same vocations: the wife was a teacher and the husband was a mail carrier. I guess those were the good jobs for power couples in our neighborhoods during those days)! I digress…

Back to Mr. Spears: I knew him as the mailman and our neighbor. He never said a lot to me, but his presence spoke volumes and commanded respect. I remember when our road was paved (yes, I am dating myself) and as kids, we moved our kickball or our dodge ball games from the back yards to the street because of the smoother surface, we were always careful never to allow the ball to fall into Mr. Spears yard. His grass was always cut to perfection, and no one wanted to do anything to cause his yard to look otherwise.

Life happened and we moved away from Spring Street, so I had not seen Mr. or Mrs. Spears in years. I am an avid reader of the Stuttgart Daily Leader, so last year, I was delighted to read that he was still active as a volunteer in the community (http://www.stuttgartdailyleader.com/article/20140919/News/140919531). All of those years of walking his route to deliver the mail had long term benefits. The community was still prospering on the good works of men like Mr. Spears.

Yes, Mr. Spears delivered the mail. For young people like me, his presence in the Stuttgart community and his work meant so much more. Rest on, Mr. Willie Spears—your work is done.

If you like this post and want to catch up on some of my previous discussions, please visit the full Purposed Work blog at http://ltr-latrobe-mfg.blogspot.com/.

Life Changing Good Works

Contribute to the needs of the saints

and seek to show hospitality.

(Romans 12:13)

In the words of Donald Lawrence: sometimes you have to encourage yourself; sometimes you have to speak victory during your tests. I understand the sense of urgency in the workforce readiness spectrum, but the reality is that Rome was not built in a day, and neither will overcoming generational deficits of workplace preparedness.

I had my aha moment of how the adrenaline high in this workforce world works. We had a candidate come through who represents the epitome of the work we are trying to accomplish: young and determined to move from a series of jobs toward a career path. He expressed interest in improving his technical skills, but he has to work to support his family now. In his current job, he earns about $11/hour. A technical program will be available for him to begin later in the fall, but hearing the story triggered a desire to help his family now. After a series of calls, we connected him with a potential opportunity that could increase his annual salary by about $10k per year. This is a single data point, but for this family, the additional income is life changing.

Before becoming personally involved in the workforce readiness movement, my perceptions of the pool of potential participants in skills training were limited to what is often portrayed in the media. I thought we would work with mostly young people with no previous work experience or with the long-termed unemployed that “life” happened to (people who have had a series of misfortunes for various reasons).

The people I meet are quite different. Most of applicants are gainfully employed and have great work history. Some have been downsized and are looking to re-tool to learn a new skill set. However, many are hardworking people who took jobs that were available at the time who are now seeking opportunities to improve the quality of life for their families. I am encouraged that the needle is moving and we will begin to see system shifts in connecting good people to good jobs, changing lives, one family at a time.

I have not heard back on whether or not the applicant has been hired by the employer to whom he was referred. I am confident that he will be victorious in changing the trajectory of the lives in his household. My prayer is that he shares his success story of working with our partner agencies with others in need who can benefit from our efforts of connecting individuals to life changing good works.

I am looking for examples of what other communities are doing to meet the needs of job seekers that are improving generational deficits in finding gainful employment. I am especially interested in best practices of introducing young people to career opportunities in manufacturing. Please share! Feel free to comment or send me an email to latanyua.robinson@gmail.com. If you like this post and want to catch up on some of my previous discussions, please visit the full Purposed Work blog at http://ltr-latrobe-mfg.blogspot.com/.

Stewards of Good Works

Whatever you do, work heartily,

as for the Lord and not for men.

(Colossians 3:23)

I have said it before, but I am blessed to operate in many dimensions, which allows me to develop perspectives from opposite sides of many situations. The morning after my last blog post on skills training programs from a job seeker's viewpoint, I was invited to visit an employer looking to improve the skills of their existing workforce. I had this ride along experience in conjunction with my new friends at the Workforce Investment Network.

My first impression of the company: This is a family owned business, employing around 300 employees. Some of the entry level jobs are material handlers or warehouse related, but the organization employs more skilled trades such as machine operators, maintenance workers, CDL drivers, etc. Located in a low-to-moderate income community, the company is known for its stewardship. They offer on-site GED classes for some of their employees who did not finish high school. The justification is to provide avenues for growth for employees looking to advance into higher wage jobs internally as a deterrent to experienced staff leaving.

For the record, these are not low wage jobs. This particular WIN business services manager was there to inform the employer of state grants available to offset training costs. She spoke of one of the on-the-job training initiatives to retool employees making less than $15 for internal advancement, and the company leadership proudly shared that few people in their organization made less than $15/hour. This company prided itself for its retention record. Once people were hired on, they rarely left because the corporation provided opportunities for team members to learn in order to earn more. In this case, the employer was looking for support in finding a provider of custom training for on-site maintenance skills development program. They wanted technical training on their processes and equipment for their incumbent staff.

Similar to something I said in a post a couple of weeks ago, this is a company that I would not have noticed as a potential employer when I was younger. The brand does not have a catchy jingle or a recognizable logo. The company does not make a product that I would ever come across in retail. However, the work environment is clean, safe, and most importantly, theirs was a company culture of teamwork and stability. It is the type of company I wish I could have worked with to gain shop floor experience.

My takeaway of this employer visit is that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of small businesses like this. Those who have the privilege of working for the company know the leadership as stewards of the community. Perhaps not a major employer in the region, the company exists as an employer of choice in the community in which it operates by those who know. They provide incentives for training and advancement not simply because they are told to; they do it because it is the right thing to do. Who are some of the stewards of good works and good jobs in your community? Feel free to comment or send me an email to latanyua.robinson@gmail.com. If you like this post and want to catch up on some of my previous discussions, please visit the full Purposed Work blog at http://ltr-latrobe-mfg.blogspot.com/.

Help for Good Works

…to whom much is given, much is required.

(Luke 12:48)

It is amazing how your perspective changes based on your exposure. Since I have become more active in workforce readiness, I view situations and see things differently than I may have in the past. Last week, I was in a big box retailer and I was so impressed with the salesman, I initiated a conversation with him about his career path. Last night, we were in a fast food restaurant and I witnessed a working mom's children in the dining area, waiting on her shift to end. My immediate response was to inquire about other types of work or skills she had. Before, I might have been oblivious to their circumstances.

Today, I am learning more about the resources available to help those in need to retool their skills and training in order to find better paying jobs. I will admit, the last time I lived in Arkansas and needed help finding a job, I referred to the agency as the “unemployment office.” Today, the assisting organization is called the Arkansas Workforce Board, which offers various programs ranging from industrial readiness training (to equip potential employees with the basic skills needed to succeed in a manufacturing or warehouse work environments) to on-the-job or incumbent worker training (to improve the employees opportunity for advancement at a specific company. Oftentimes, these training programs are of little to no cost to the employees. To find out more about Workforce Investment activities in Arkansas, visit http://workforceinvestmentworks.com/workforce_board_info.asp?st=AR. For other parts of the country, visit http://www.servicelocator.org/onestopcenters.asp.

After registering with a service center, it is important for job seekers to visit the local Workforce office and establish a relationship with the career counselors, who are available to help with navigation through the employment process. They work with the employer services team to understand the real needs of the local companies, and in many cases, have relationships with the human resources officials making hiring decisions. In other situations, they may have the ability to set up job fairs or specific training that allows motivated job seekers to personally meet prospective employers. I am a firm believer in human relations and relationships. (One of my biggest pet peeves in the reliance of algorithms to get selected as a best qualified candidate because I know that one wrongly selected keyword, or equivalent, and you will be eliminated from the possibility.) So after meeting with people like the young man and the single mother mentioned earlier, in addition to giving them my card, I also share the cards of my esteemed friends from the Workforce Investment Networks.

Since I have become more exposed to the local employment resources, I have met many people who have a passion for helping others and a mission to give back. I smile when I look at how my journey of finding my purposed work has taken me down a different path of helping others to find better paying jobs.  How are you giving people in your community information about improving their skills and finding opportunities to advance into higher wage jobs and occupations?  Feel free to comment or send me an email to latanyua.robinson@gmail.com. If you like this post and want to catch up on some of my previous discussions, please visit the full Purposed Work blog at http://ltr-latrobe-mfg.blogspot.com/.

The Message of Good Works

If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.

(Proverbs 18:13)

I am about to get on my soap box: People are too caught up in job titles. I will be the first to admit that I have left a few organizations because my title did not reflect my perceived level of responsibility and delivered results (I am an admitted work-in-process). But this post is not about me. As I work more with the next generation of manufacturers, I realize that we are using the wrong messaging in getting students engaged or excited about job opportunities and potential careers in manufacturing.

Workforce professionals like to use occupational codes to analyze and assess the skills and training needs of for specific jobs and titles. The Occupational Information Network (O*NET) is a Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) based system adopted by businesses, training and educational institutions, labor and occupational organizations, and professional associations to measure and report trends in the US labor market. The system provides a clinical and theoretical process for comparing job titles, but the words used have little to no appeal in enticing millennials to consider manufacturing careers. (For more information on occupational codes, visit https://www.onetonline.org/).

There is a lot of discussion about developing career pathways to address current and projected labor shortages. As we all know, the career pathway model preached for my generation has proven ineffective because everyone does not fit into the model of high school to four year college to career. And frankly, many well-paying jobs do not require a college degree. What success does require is a systematic approach to get to a desired outcome. So for example, a career pathway metal manufacturing suggests a student progresses through

SOC Code 51-4031           Cutting, Punching, Setting, and Tender Operator

SOC Code 51-4041           Machinist

SOC Code 51-4011           CNC Machine Tool Operator

SOC Code 51-4012           CNC Machine Tool Programmer

I can still remember some of my early career decisions. If someone had approached me with the above manufacturing career path, I would have immediately been turned off. I could not have related the information to anything happening around me at the time. However, if the message was tailored to describe a company or a product that excited me, I may have made some different decisions about the jobs I took, and the skills needed, along the route of earning a degree in industrial engineering. Thinking back, it still amazes me that no one ever approached or discussed apprenticeships, another valuable tool that I may have overlooked because of misunderstood phrasing, or even worse, job titles…

As a workforce readiness ambassador for manufacturing, I have to constantly remind myself that it is not about me. So when I want to describe a job using an O*NET code, primarily because of future ease of reporting, I have to purposely remember that academic and industry terms do not resonate with students who may have never been exposed to a job title, and the subsequent skills needed to land a job. I have to give answers and examples that are relevant for the audience I am trying to reach. How are you spreading the message of your jobs and good works so that the people you are trying to attract hear you?  Feel free to comment or send me an email to latanyua.robinson@gmail.com. If you like this post and want to catch up on some of my previous discussions, please visit the full Purposed Work blog at http://ltr-latrobe-mfg.blogspot.com/.

Manufacturing: MFG DAY 2015!

Save The Date:

October 2, 2015

 

In lieu of my typical blog post, I wanted to take the time to increase awareness of a nationally focused day that is dear to my heart! Manufacturing Day℠ is a celebration of modern manufacturing meant to inspire the next generation of manufacturers. Although Manufacturing Day officially occurs on the first Friday in October—this year is October 2, 2015—any day can be a Manufacturing Day. Copied directly from the www.mfgday.com mission (http://www.mfgday.com/about-us):

MFG DAY addresses common misperceptions about manufacturing by giving manufacturers an opportunity to open their doors and show, in a coordinated effort, what manufacturing is — and what it isn’t. By working together during and after MFG DAY, manufacturers will begin to address the skilled labor shortage they face, connect with future generations, take charge of the public image of manufacturing, and ensure the ongoing prosperity of the whole industry.

As of the sharing of this information, there are 363 events scheduled around the United States, and the list keeps growing. Throughout Arkansas, some participants include:

Arkansas First Incorporated in Little Rock

Baldor Electric Company in Fort Smith

Cameron in Little Rock

Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce

National Park College in Piney

Pace Industries in Harrison

South Arkansas Community College in El Dorado

To find an event in your area, visit http://www.mfgday.com/events

The purpose of these events is to give students first-hand, and oftentimes, hands on experience in understanding how things are made. It is also a good opportunity for parents to witness 21st century, advanced manufacturing processes and potential career paths for their children. Specifically in Arkansas, the Museum of Discovery has an exhibit, fashioned after the Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood tv show, that demonstrates “How People Make Things.” The program applies STEM principles in a fun format to engage students in basic manufacturing processes like cutting, molding deforming, and assembly on multi-axis machines. To learn more about the exhibit that runs until September 22, 2015, visit http://www.mfgday.com/resources/teaching-children.  

There are lots of opportunities to discover and explore the excitement of manufacturing. If your company or community is sponsoring a MFG DAY event that you would like to highlight, feel free to comment or send me an email to latanyua.robinson@gmail.com. If you like this post and want to catch up on some of my previous discussions, please visit the full Purposed Work blog at http://ltr-latrobe-mfg.blogspot.com/.

Mid-South Good Works

Some of what I am discussing in this post may be old news to regular readers of this blog. When I read press releases, I do not always take them at face value. I oftentimes conduct my own research in order to process information for my own understanding. The announcement of the Investing Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP) (http://ltr-latrobe-mfg.blogspot.com/2015/07/outreach-for-good-works.html) has piqued my interest in the broad manufacturing landscape of the Mid-South that is based on data, and not simply my observations and limited personal knowledge.

So imagine my surprise when I consulted the Memphis Business Journal’s Book of Lists for 2014-2015 for the largest manufacturing operations in the Mid-South. The Top Ten Manufacturing plants, ranked by the number of full time employees in the region, include: Ashley Furniture Industries, Tyson Foods, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi, Nucor Corp, Lennox International, Riceland Foods, UTC-Carrier, Cooper Tire & Rubber, Kellogg, and Tenneco. Who knew that Stuttgart is home to two of the largest manufacturing employers in all of the Mid-South? (To learn more, visit http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/research/bol-marketing/).

The regional IMCP awardee is called The Made in the Mid-South Manufacturing Alliance (MMMA). The initiative “supports expansion of manufacturing in the Memphis Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), with a special focus on a strong and growing medical device cluster in three states – Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas.” In the announcement, I was surprised to read that Memphis is the home to 56 medical equipment and supply manufacturing companies. In my previous exposure to medical device manufacturers, the hotbed of activity was Warsaw, IN, known as the “Orthopedic Capital of the World,” boasting such companies as DePuy, Zimmer, and Biomet. In the Memphis area, I was familiar with companies like Smith & Nephew, Medtronic, and Wright Medical Technology. However, I was surprised to read in the Business Journal of regional companies like MicroPort Orthopedics, Medical Action Industries, Gyrus, NuVasive, Bioventus, Onyx, and Tegra Medical, in addition to a host biotechnology companies. To learn more about the MMMA, you can download and read the following: http://www.eda.gov/challenges/imcp/files/2nd-round/IMCP-2-Pager-Handout-Memphis.pdf

My own biases and limited knowledge lead me to believe that the primary industries and economies in the Mid-South were agricultural and distribution related. I grew up in this region, and until recently, never considered how the Mid-South has evolved as a realistic Land of Opportunity (nickname of Arkansas) for entrepreneurs and job seekers interested in manufacturing. For me, this research has been a personal teaching moment and reminder to never look at anything from your limited perspective. Are there other areas of economic diversity in the Mid-South that others should become aware? Feel free to comment or send me an email to latanyua.robinson@gmail.com. If you like this post and want to catch up on some of my previous discussions, please visit the full Purposed Work blog at http://ltr-latrobe-mfg.blogspot.com/.

Pitching Good Works

…the wise makes his speech judicious

and adds persuasiveness to his lips…

 (Proverbs 16:23)

One of my new volunteer activities is working with future leaders in the community to help expand their business etiquette skills. Once a month, I am involved with a team who meets with a diverse group of young people and role play various experiences they should expect to have in a business or professional environment. This weekend, we engaged them in developing his or her individual elevator pitch.

An elevator pitch is a business tool for clearly articulating what you or your organization has to offer. I prefer to call it your 30 second commercial: If you only have a short amount of time, like an elevator ride, what would you say that makes a lasting impression that leads to a follow-up?

An elevator pitch is a prepared statement. When crafting one, consider the following steps to make sure that the message is interesting, memorable, and succinct:

1. Identify the goal or objective of the pitch.
2. Explain what you or your organization does by using examples of problems you have solved.
3. Communicate what makes you UNIQUE, your value proposition.
4. Engage with an open ended question.
5. Put it all together.
6. Practice, until you get the pitch into a natural sounding 30 second conversation.

I love working with creative young people because their imaginations are limitless. Even though it was role-play, one young man pretended he was trying to get an invitation to apply for an intern position and he wanted to share his concepts for the first commercially available teleporter. Based on his pitch, I would have invited him to go through the interview process!

Working through the process was a reminder that I had not updated my elevator pitch in awhile. Using the guide provided above, a revised statement to introduce our workforce readiness solution to potential community or industry influencers reads as: My company provides consulting services to industrial organizations looking to expand their operations or their workforce. From my experiences in both corporate American and as a consultant, one of the issues that I have seen time and again is that small to mid-sized companies have a difficult time finding qualified candidates who have the necessary soft skills to succeed in a manufacturing or industrial work environment. To address that need, we developed workforce readiness solution that aides our partners in hiring the right people with the potential to excel in manufacturing jobs. Who in your organization is responsible for the #Youarehired! activities of identifying the technical and interpersonal skills needed to be successful on day one in the workplace? Here’s our capability brochure with our contact information. (Of course, the spoken message would be tailored for the audience.)

http://www.latrobellc.com/industrial-people.php

In working with young people, we try to emphasize that you never know when you will have an opportunity to make a lasting impression. Developing an elevator pitch is one example of preparing future leaders for likely exchanges in the professional environment. What other tools would you suggest we introduce and role play with the next generation to equip them for success in the workplace? Feel free to comment or send me an email to latanyua.robinson@gmail.com. If you like this post and want to catch up on some of my previous discussions, please visit the full Purposed Work blog at http://ltr-latrobe-mfg.blogspot.com/.

Outreach for Good Works

Two are better than one,

because they have a good return for their work

 (Ecclesiastes 4:9)

I have access to two opposing sides of the jobs debate. On one hand, I have been in meetings recently where employers comment about expanding their workforce, but express difficulty in finding qualified applicants. On the other hand, I hear kitchen table talk of those looking for jobs, but never getting a call back. Even in my hometown, I have uncles who are hiring managers, who also express concern about finding local talent? How is that possible in small or even regional communities?

The first question I always ask is about the community outreach to make sure the under-employed are aware of job openings and the skills required to perform the work. When the response is unclear to me, it is a pretty good indicator of why the employment gap exists. People will not apply for jobs that they do not know exist. This is especially true in manufacturing, not just at the shop floor level, but also for the support staff roles. For communities to be successful in addressing their workforce concerns, there has to be a connected effort of the local chamber of commerce / economic development agencies, employers, educators, and community advocates.

At the national level, a best practice example of multiply agencies working together is the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP). The program is an initiative designed to revolutionize the way federal agencies leverage economic development funds. It encourages communities to develop comprehensive economic development strategies that will strengthen their competitive edge for attracting global manufacturer and supply chain investments. Through IMCP, the federal government is rewarding best practices – coordinating federal aid to support communities’ strong development plans and synchronizing grant programs across multiple departments and agencies. Non-designated communities nationwide can learn from the best practices employed by these designated communities to strengthen American manufacturing. I was excited to learn that of the twelve pilot communities selected, I have had firsthand experience in two, Pittsburgh and Memphis. To learn more about this $1 billion dollar investment to accelerate a resurgence in the manufacturing supply chain, visit http://www.eda.gov/news/press-releases/2015/07/08/imcp.htm

Another program that I endorse is the ACT Work Ready Communities solution. I was first introduced to this program in Texas when the regional chambers of commerce were looking for a platform to help market the local workforce's ability to meet the current and emergent need for potential employers looking to invest in the area. The criteria for success was predicated on an agreed upon standard for certifying the skills. Perspective employees earn industry-recognized skill credential, the ACT National Career Readiness Certificate (ACT NCRC) and local employers use these certifications in their hiring processes. Although piloted in several counties in AR and TN since 2012, to date, I could only identify one company in the region who recognized the ACT Career Readiness Certificate, Smith & Nephew in Shelby County. Perhaps as more of these interagency partnerships converge, more companies and communities will adopt this process to address the skills needed to drive economic growth. To learn more about Work Ready Communities, go to http://workreadycommunities.org/.

In order for communities to address their economic growth by hiring people who have the right skills for the available and anticipated jobs, there must be an aligned, community-based initiative. As an advocate for careers in manufacturing, I am excited about the programs offered by the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership and the ACT Work Ready Communities. What other solutions exist for improving the outreach and effectiveness for workforce development? Feel free to comment or send me an email to latanyua.robinson@gmail.com. If you like this post and want to catch up on some of my previous discussions, please visit the full Purposed Work blog at http://ltr-latrobe-mfg.blogspot.com/.

Inherited Good Works

A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children…

 (Proverbs 13:22)

In a strange way, our family life changed for the better during the summer of 2012. When my father-in-law passed unexpectedly, we had to drive from Texas to Indiana to make the final arrangements. Typically, our preferred method of travel for any trip over four hours was to fly; but with no notice, the tickets were ridiculously expensive in both dollars and airline points, so we elected to drive. That trip was the first time in over five years that we were confined in a car together for that many hours.

In those five years, a lot changed in our family. We used to entertain our son with videos; but on that trip, he entertained himself with the music on his IPod or with video games. We used to have to bring music to avoid constantly searching for radio stations, but on that trip we had satellite radio. We used to be in a rush to get from point A to point B, but on that trip, we took the time to see and talk about the sites along the way. As a family, we have always traveled together, but on that trip, we remembered the importance of passing down stories, singing songs, and creating family memories and traditions.

In the years since, our family summer trips have taken us to Nashville, returning through Phenix City, to visit another branch of the family tree; to Washington D.C., to visit many of the national treasures, including watching the fireworks from the National Mall and visiting the King Memorial. The trip to DC triggered a new tradition: on our subsequent travels, in addition to mainstream museums and aquariums, we would tour and take pictures at lesser known memorial parks. So while we were visiting Birmingham last summer, we went to see the historic 16^th Street Baptist Church, and we introduced our son to my favorite Temptation, making a stop to take pictures at the Eddie Kendrick Memorial Park. This year’s must-sees include stopping in Knoxville to visit the 12 ft bronze statue of Alex Haley, my muse for journaling my story, and returning to the Augusta area to see our first house, as well as visit the slave pillar and the James Brown statue, erected after we moved.

Indirectly, my father-in-law is responsible for this renewed sense of family traditions. It’s funny, no matter how many times we offered, he would never fly to visit us. He preferred to take his time and drive his pickup truck. I did not get it then, but now, I understand. What family customs or memories are you passing down to your children, that prayerfully, they will pass along to their children?  Feel free to comment or send me an email to latanyua.robinson@gmail.com. If you like this post and want to catch up on some of my previous discussions, please visit the full Purposed Work blog at http://ltr-latrobe-mfg.blogspot.com/.

American Made Good Works

We recently discovered that our son had no idea that television stations used to sign off nightly after the playing of the National Anthem. In a few decades, so many everyday activities have become obsolete. I am guilty of trying to hold on to traditions that are as American as apple pie: We still collect our spare change and manually roll our coins in those old paper wrappers provided by the bank. We still have a house phone (even though we have moved X times in Y years). And we still subscribe to magazines that are delivered to our house, and not simply received electronically.

One of those magazines that we still read is Consumer Reports (CR). The July 2015 edition focuses on Made in America: WHAT it means, WHEN it matters, & WHY everything you thought you knew is changing. As an advocate for American manufacturing, I was pleasantly surprised to read CR’s survey results asking: Why We Buy “Made in the USA”:

To keep manufacturing jobs at home (88%)

To help the U.S. economy (87%)

To keep America strong in the global economy (84%)

To be patriotic (62%)

(http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2015/07/index.htm).

I am sure that you have seen the labels and banners that state “Made in America,” but what does that actually mean? The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) defines the standard for unqualified “Made in America” claims as the following:  All or virtually all" means that all significant parts and processing that go into the product must be of U.S. origin. That is, the product should contain no — or negligible — foreign content. Additionally, the standard for “Assembled in America” is clarified by this statement:  A product that includes foreign components may be called "Assembled in USA" without qualification when its principal assembly takes place in the U.S. and the assembly is substantial. For the "assembly" claim to be valid, the product’s last "substantial transformation" also should have occurred in the U.S.  Thus the Toyota Tundra, exclusively assembled in Texas, is truly American made! To read more about complying with the Made in American standard, go to https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/complying-made-usa-standard#basic

You may have noticed that I italicized to keep manufacturing jobs at home in the survey results mentioned above. From my own experience working in manufacturing, having to justify offshoring a couple of decades ago and reshoring now, I would add to bring American manufacturing jobs back to that list. A lot of functional jobs/talent needed in the entire product life cycle, prior to manufacturing and assembly, has been lost. The Made in America Movement addresses this concern. The founder, Margarita Mendoza, has a passion about seeing more jobs come back to America. She chose to create a movement so that individuals can get involved and use their voices and buying power to create change. - See more at: http://www.themadeinamericamovement.com/about-us/

Made in America products seem to be on the increase, at least I notice more products marketed as such. Have you changed your buying habits to purchase products “Made in the US,” and if so, why? If not, what would you require manufacturers to do for you to select American products over foreign manufactured products? Feel free to comment or send me an email to latanyua.robinson@gmail.com. If you like this post and want to catch up on some of my previous discussions, please visit the full Purposed Work blog at http://ltr-latrobe-mfg.blogspot.com/.

Trading Good Works

Thus you shall live with us, and the land shall be open before you;

live and trade in it and acquire property in it –

(Genesis 34:10)

A suggested strategy for growing a small business is to increase the sell of products made here in the U.S. to foreign customers. By definition, an export is an international trade where goods produced in one country are shipped to another country for future sale or trade. For manufacturers, the transaction is beneficial to the producing country by adding to the nation’s gross output. Becoming an exporter is a good idea, but the activity involves a lot of risks.

One agency that may be able to provide guidance and services in reducing those risks for American manufacturers is the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EX-IM Bank). Founded in 1934, the mission of the bank is to create and sustain U.S. jobs by financing sales of U.S. exports to international buyers. EX-IM Bank helps businesses by providing services such as:

• Protection against buyer non-payment
• Getting financing
• Selling to foreign customers on credit terms
• Borrowing against export-related assets
• Issuing performance and bid-bonds
• Financing a foreign buyer’s purchase

To learn more about these solutions, visit http://www.exim.gov/what-we-do

Like many government programs, there is a current debate on whether or not to reauthorize. The bank’s charter is set to expire on June 30^th. Supported by the National Association of Manufacturers, there is an urgent social media campaign to inform the public of the good works that EX-IM Bank is doing in supporting the American economy. During 2014, about 90% of the bank’s transactions benefited small businesses in the global supply chains of large manufacturers like Boeing, GE, and Caterpillar (http://www.nam.org/Issues/The-Ex-Im-Bank/). In job numbers, that represents about 164,000 export-related jobs in the United States.

EX-IM bank has benefited small businesses across the country. A local success story is BCH Trading, headquartered in Hot Springs. An exporter of southern, yellow pine lumber, by taking advantage of the bank’s working capital guarantees, this $10M business indirectly supports over 50 sawmill-related jobs http://www.exim.gov/about/success-stories/ex-im-bank-supported-loan-helps-arkansas-firm-sell-wood-overseas.

Trading and exporting are proven strategies for growing businesses. American manufacturers benefit because the jobs stay here even though the products are traded or sold globally. I am asking that anyone who supports job creators to take action by calling their representative at 202-224-3121 and urging Congress to reauthorize the charter for EX-IM Bank. What are your thoughts on EX-IM Bank or other trade discussions?  Feel free to comment or send me an email to latanyua.robinson@gmail.com. If you like this post and want to catch up on some of my previous discussions, please visit the full Purposed Work blog at http://ltr-latrobe-mfg.blogspot.com/.

A Child of Good Works

For this child, we have prayed…

(1 Samuel 1:27)

While I am proud of my work in manufacturing and workforce readiness, my biggest accomplishments for me are associated with being a wife and mom. The justification for leaving my corporate career and pursuing entrepreneurial opportunities started because I needed more flexibility in my schedule for my family. Along the way, I discovered the journey en route to my purposed work.

When we downsized into our current house, I decided to convert a first floor nursery into my home office space. On the wall, where the bassinet may have been for the previous owners, was a wall decal with the words “for this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me the desires of my heart.” I initially tried to peel it off, but doing so took more effort than I wanted to give at the time, so I covered it with a desk/hutch combination and an inspirational picture promising that “the Will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.” As I type this blog post, I am leaning on the promises of both for our child.

Since Trayvon, I can remember where I was when I heard the news reports of each incident and the ensuing conversations at our house after. While we know we are raising an intelligent, well-mannered, respectful young man, in an unexpected turn of events, someone could mistake his 5’ 11” frame as something else. A truth moment: we went out of town a month ago and left our son at our cousin’s house for the weekend so that he could train for an upcoming track meet. Since we are all still relatively new to this community and our respective sub-divisions, I specifically asked my cousin to follow Q in the car when he went for his morning run to avoid any concerns about a tall stranger running through the neighborhood.

Last week, the three of us traveled in different directions, so on Sunday, when the latest viral video hit the news rotation, I was did not immediately initiate a conversation. The incident did not turn into a teaching moment until Q asked to go over to a friend’s house and my husband used the video to illustrate how quickly things can get out of control, how to respond to people in positions of authority, and how black fathers constantly give their black sons instructions for staying alive. Instead of being a part of the conversation, I went into my room and began to pray for my son and this generation. Using the words from the scripture, for this child I pray

…that he grows from a boy into a man and realizes his full potential
…that society will see him for who is on the inside and not pre-judge him by his outside
…that we will not have to worry about his life whenever he is out of our sight
…that he knows that grace and mercy will protect him where ever he goes
…that he never forgets that he is wonderfully and marvelously made; one of a kind
 

Q's 7th Grade Reflective Journal from 2014

Yes, I pray for our child, for this generation, and for society to do better. As adults, we have to live by example and teach basic life skills. While I am proud of his smarts and personality, I am thankful to witness his self-awareness of the world in which he lives. Feel free to comment or send me an email to latanyua.robinson@gmail.com. If you like this post and want to catch up on some of my previous discussions, please visit the full Purposed Work blog at http://ltr-latrobe-mfg.blogspot.com/.