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The Data Acquisition Blog is the place for conversation and discussion about signal conditioning components and systems, digital and analog I/O modules, signal and data conversion and data acquisition software. Here, you'll find everything from application ideas, to news and industry trends, to hot topics and cutting edge innovations. This blog is inspired by the Data Acquisition newsletter from GlobalSpec, which you can subscribe to here.

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Today's Manufacturers: Ready For the Future?

Posted October 28, 2008 8:00 AM

Recent articles warn of a looming skills gap among plant operators and engineers. A high percentage of today's operations and engineering staffs are in the 50-and-over age group, and many manufacturing firms are headed for trouble when this group retires. Noting that apprentice programs used to be quite common, they say manufacturers today don't want to invest in training or apprentice programs. Moreover, current manufacturing executives lack computer literacy (beyond basic word processing and spread sheet usage) and have little understanding of the demands that build-to-order, adaptive manufacturing place upon operations. Are more training and apprenticing programs needed? Does this skills gap exist, or is it overblown? And if it does exist, what is the best remedy for it?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Data Acquisition, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Data Acquisition today.


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Guru
Engineering Fields - Control Engineering - New Member China - Member - New Member

Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: CHINA
Posts: 2984
Good Answers: 13
#1

Re: Today's Manufacturers: Ready For the Future?

10/28/2008 9:33 PM

thats why so many advance manufactures shift to our chna. lots of skilled chinese staffs neednt too much traning fee. almost of them are good educated.

here could they get more benifit and profit.

In other field like media making. producing an advertisement in our place will save much, even huge money than do in USA or in europe.

creation, draw 3D and shoot are all requiring less charge than in that countries.

Guru

Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Piney Flats, Tennessee
Posts: 1576
Good Answers: 20
#2

Re: Today's Manufacturers: Ready For the Future?

10/29/2008 6:06 AM

Well they make it easy for the Executives. Have an Engineers design a product, and artist refine it, then a contractor make it. Sales, avioding taxes, hinding profits from investors in offshore accounts, and baffle them with B S is all an executive needs these days.

Check out the strom of thing to come from China.

www.alibaba.com

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Commentator
Engineering Fields - Instrumentation Engineering - New Member

Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: middle of nowhere, Pennsylvania
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Good Answers: 5
#3

Re: Today's Manufacturers: Ready For the Future?

10/29/2008 8:14 AM

This is no longer a hot current topic, since there will be no future lack of skills. The recent economic meltdown has made it impossible for the 50 and over crowd to even consider retiring. The 50% drop in the value of mutual fund retirement investments means I now must consider working until I am at least 78, since a return to current values of stock based portfolios probably will not occur for at least 15 to 20 years.

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Commentator

Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 84
Good Answers: 9
#4
In reply to #3

Re: Today's Manufacturers: Ready For the Future?

10/29/2008 2:58 PM

Most stock prices will likely return to near the pre-prop levels almost as fast as they fell. A bigger impact may be the stated intention of the Democratic leaders to eliminate the tax exemption on 401K deposits and, instead replace it with a single $600 tax credit. Couple that with increased capital gains taxes, and you'll no longer have to worry about retirement.

Of course, since we'll have government-provided health care, that won't be an issue anymore since it will be hard to justify major medical care for someone who is older than the average lifespan or 72.

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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: EB, SF Bay Area
Posts: 10
#5

Re: Today's Manufacturers: Ready For the Future?

12/25/2008 7:44 PM

I don't believe in what the author said, about computers used for word processing. Computers are used mostly for CAD/CAM and ERP.

More and more often I see production made in China as if there were no prototypes made at all, when computer files go directly to mass production resulting in loss of enormous resources.

When mass production went overseas possibility to build relatively cheap prototypes was lost... Engineers don't see, don't touch, don't hear own production until it is too late to change anything...

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