By Brenda Showalter, The Republic
bshowalter@therepublic.com
The critical need to fill advanced manufacturing jobs with skilled employees is a driving force behind the Dream It Do It campaign that was officially launched Monday at the Columbus Learning Center. Gov. Mitch Daniels told those gathered on the center's outdoor plaza that it is a misconception that great careers do not exist in manufacturing.
"Some of the best jobs, most exciting and best-paying jobs are in the manufacturing sector," Daniels said.
Indiana manufacturers, the state's largest contributor to economic growth, exported more than $21 billion in goods in 2005.
The opportunity for more growth was highlighted by recent announcements that Cummins Inc. would add 600 jobs and Honda 2,000 within the next three years.
"We can be a great state, but it will not happen by accident," Daniels said. "It will require new initiatives like this learning center and this project."
Daniels said the Dream It Do It initiative is important for the entire state, and that southeast Indiana is leading the way.
Aligning goals
Dream It Do It goals include aligning education, work force and economic growth strategies to provide career opportunities for young adults and skilled workers for businesses.
The effort of Indiana's Region 9 Workforce Development Board involves 10 counties in southeast Indiana.
The campaign, which includes a marketing blitz in schools and in the media, will target 12- to 26-year-olds and include programs in middle schools to college.
Other training options will be available for workers to receive certifications in specific areas in demand by area manufacturers.
John Burnett, of Irwin Financial and chairman of Dream It Do It Southeast Indiana, said the effort seeks to change negative images of manufacturing careers while improving communities and changing lives.
By directing students into manufacturing careers, they can make wages that are 25 percent higher than in nonmanufacturing jobs.
In 2005, the average annual state wages for manufacturing employees was $35,463, not including benefits.
Nearly one in three Indiana workers is employed in manufacturing with more than 600 manufacturers in southeastern Indiana employing 23,124 people.
Fifteen of the Top 25 employers in the area are manufacturing companies.
Products range from engines and automotive parts to hospital beds, plumbing fixtures and lighting equipment.
The campaign also seeks to broaden awareness of today's manufacturing careers that can include such jobs as software developer, product designer or test engineer.
Joe Loughrey, president of Cummins Inc., recalled how his first job in manufacturing 40 years ago was working third-shift operating a press.
Times and technology have changed, but manufacturing remains critical to the state, he said.
"Manufacturing drives the economy of southeast Indiana," said Loughrey, who also serves as chairman of the Manufacturing Institute.
The Institute is the research arm of the National Association of Manufacturers that created the Dream It Do It initiative.
Loughrey said that by encouraging connections between education and manufacturers, businesses will be able to attract, retain and grow their work force.
Trends, including flat employment and an aging baby boom population, could result in a shortage of roughly 13 million U.S. workers by 2020, according to the National Association of Manufacturers.
Proud history
Monday's Dream It, Do It kickoff celebrated in Columbus was the fifth launch in the country and the first in Indiana.
Phyllis Eisen, senior vice president of the Manufacturing Institute, said some have suggested that her organization change its name, but she believes the country has a proud past and future in manufacturing.
Workers make everything from potato chips to computer chips and need advanced training and technical skills, she said.
"You have to be smart, be skilled, and you must be innovative," she said. "You can no longer just show up at work."
Eisen added that great jobs in manufacturing are going unfilled, and Dream It, Do It will address those problems.
Columbus businessman Richard Johnson, representing the Indiana Commission for Higher Education of which he is a member, said the initiative will help students better see the connection between education and careers.
Columbus Mayor Fred Armstrong said the event launch was just the beginning of great things to come with better jobs and better pay for area workers.
Area residents can expect to hear a lot about the campaign in coming months with advertisements, billboards, direct mailings, brochures and information spots in movie theaters.