Several weeks ago, the IACMI and ACMA leadership teams asked members to take a survey to help provide a stronger understanding of the workforce and education needs of the composites community. The responses have been analyzed and strategic plans are being updated to incorporate new feedback.
Here’s what we learned:
IACMI’s opportunity in workforce and education programming lies in creating multi‐disciplinary programming to fit the needs of diverse employers
Composites‐related companies are diverse with a variety of applications and business lines. The survey
requested that companies select their relationship to composites whether it be through R&D, a specific
material, or application. Nearly all respondents selected multiple applications for composites in their
organization with one‐third also having an R&D component.
This finding is important because it highlights the diverse nature of the companies in IACMI’ membership
and presents a unique workforce issue within the 21st century. The supply chain may seem murky because
each company does not specialize in just one element; rather each company is almost its own supply chain
within itself. The diverse nature of the work completed at each of these companies means that their
workers need to be equally diverse in skill and ability. The talent programming created by IACMI must
look to address the broad needs and cross‐training requirements that are unique to companies that do
everything. Many educational programs for engineering and science are not diverse enough to meet the
needs of the 21st century manufacturer. Thus, IACMI’s role and opportunity in workforce development
lies in bridging the gaps and creating multi‐disciplinary programming to meet the needs of their diverse employer group.
Employability skills and work experience are the top two talent concerns for all survey respondents
The survey findings showed that nearly every company, regardless of focus area, noticed that new hires
and applicants lack “employability” skills such as the ability to effectively communicate, work‐place
readiness, timeliness, and other characteristics foundational for the world of work. In addition to these
skills, many companies found that applicants lacked experience in the workplace and with the practical
application of composites. This means that new hires and applicants likely were not afforded, or did not
take, the opportunity for an internship, co‐op, or other work‐and‐learn experience during their
educational training. On‐the‐job experience and practical application are essential for successful hires.
IACMI has an opportunity to expand its already successful internship program to other levels of education,
specifically the community college level to reach technician trainees, and address their partners’ basic
concerns.
Composites‐related companies, not focused on R&D, need more qualified technicians
While employability skills and work experience were resounding themes for all survey respondents,
companies focused only on manufacturing with little or no R&D elements are in great need of technicians.
Companies cited a variety of needs from engineering technicians, to modeling and simulation workers, to
skilled trade workers. This is an opportunity for IACMI to invest in programming to:
1. Attract more workers to these areas;
2. Create programming to upskill the current workforce; and
3. Help companies partner directly with community and technical colleges for customized training
that fits their specific needs.
Members are poised to steer IACMI’s workforce and talent investments
More than half of survey respondents committed to participating in further research, focus groups,
interviews, and committees to provide detail and direction for IACMI’s workforce and education
programming. One respondent offered to be a test/pilot case for new programs and others offered
connections to additional composites companies not already in the IAMCI membership. When asked for
contact information related to specific areas of talent concern, 33 companies provided data for IACMI to
follow‐up with further questions.
The IACMI/ACMA Workforce Advisory teams have reviewed the results and recommendations of this study and will follow up soon regarding 2017 workforce strategy and plans.