Training and Retention Articles

Results: 73

	Teen race car driver promotes manufacturing careers : 17-year-old Brennan Palmiter motivates youth to follow their passion By: Traci Tapani, Contributing Writer Figure 1 Race footage in Brennan's presentation drew attention to messages on ethics and values. Click images to view larger When Brennan... Publish date: February 24, 2009
	But anybody can weld, right? By: Rick Cowman, Contributing Writer As a provider of welding training in the U.S. for many years, I have found managers have a common misconception about their welding... Publish date: September 16, 2008
	Recruit, train, and retain : The FABRICATOR's Editorial Advisory Board came together to share observations and discuss ways to attract workers to the world of manufacturing. By: Dan Davis, Editor-in-Chief The FABRICATOR's Editorial Advisory Board meets to discuss ways to find new talent and keep them interested in manufacturing as a career choice.... Publish date: March 11, 2008
	Economy edges out other concerns By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager Metal manufacturers greatest concerns-2008 for the past four years, the fabricating update e-newsletter has surveyed its... Publish date: February 26, 2008
	Rebuilding the infrastructure Skilled workers must be trained now By: Carl Smith, Contributing Writer The sky is falling! There is an industrywide awareness of the dire need for welders and other skilled workers in the U.S. The country's... Publish date: October 9, 2007
	Connecting with employees : Low-tech ideas to keep communication channels flowing By: Mark Harbeke Editor's Note: This column was prepared by the staff of Winning Workplaces, a not-for-profit organization that helps small and midsized... Publish date: July 10, 2007
	Job hopping—A sign of the times By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager Remember the good old days when men and women worked for one company for 30-plus years—perhaps advancing to higher positions within the... Publish date: June 26, 2007
	Abuse of power in the workplace By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager What happened to the grade school bully? According to a nationwide poll conducted by the Employment Law Alliance (ELA) , he or she may have... Publish date: April 10, 2007
	The adult learner: Training your labor force By: Phil Evans, Contributing Writer Life is exciting, and employment can be exciting when you are mentally prepared for your job. I believe the lost trait of employee/employer... Publish date: March 13, 2007
	Is a good attitude all it takes? By: Bob Nichols, Contributing Writer After 30 years of hard work in the metalworking industry, I now have been told that all you really need to succeed is a good attitude. This... Publish date: January 9, 2007
	Creating a leadership team that speaks, acts with one voice By: Dr. Bob Rausch, Ph.D., Contributing Writer Commenting on his company's transformation, a manufacturing company manager said, "We transformed our culture from a bottom-line-driven... Publish date: January 9, 2007
	Understanding and motivating the multigenerational work force By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager Today's U.S. work force is dominated primarily by baby boomers—many of whom will continue to work long past the traditional retirement... Publish date: November 7, 2006
	Coping with change in the workplace By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager If you've been at your job for any length of time—say a day or two—you've experienced change in the workplace. Perhaps you've... Publish date: November 7, 2006
	Hanging on to your skilled workers By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager As documented in the article Fabricators in search of skilled labor , 77 percent of respondents to an August 2006 "Fabricating Update"... Publish date: September 12, 2006
	Fabricators in search of skilled workers By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager The August 2006 "Fabricating Update" hiring survey revealed that the majority of metal manufacturers have job openings they are struggling... Publish date: September 12, 2006
	Why settle for good enough? : Mediocre performance could be the result of leader inertia By: Woodruff Imberman If their financial results are indicative of the manner in which they are run, some steel pipe and tube fabricators need to be managed... Publish date: August 20, 2006
	The ups and downs of employee communication : Reaching goals by mastering the art of dialogue By: Woodruff Imberman, Ph.D. Author's Note: This article is a supplement to "Why settle for good enough?" which appeared in the December 2002 issue of TPJ-The Tube &... Publish date: August 20, 2006
	Tailoring incentives to employees' needs : How to ensure an effective motivational program By: Woodruff Imberman, Ph.D. Economic indicators are heating up, and Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan is worried that the evil genie of inflation will be... Publish date: August 20, 2006
	Culture matters: Employee-driven problem-solving Editor's Note: This column was prepared by the staff of Winning Workplaces, a not-for-profit organization that helps small and midsized... Publish date: July 11, 2006
	Productivity—The human factor By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager Publish date: May 9, 2006
	Editorial Advisory Board Roundtable : The education of the fabricating industry By: Dan Davis, Editor-in-Chief The FABRICATOR's Editorial Advisory Board gathered to discuss the current skill sets for fabricating and forming employees and which areas need... Publish date: March 7, 2006
	Are you preparing for the worker skills gap? By: Michael Long, Contributing Writer The pressure is on. Truly, finding and keeping skilled workers will become one of your greatest hurdles in running a successful business... Publish date: March 7, 2006
	Are you still settling for good enough? : Avoiding traps that prevent progress By: Woodruff Imberman, Ph.D. Editor's Note: This article is a continuation of "Why settle for good enough?" which appeared in the December 2002 issue of TPJ-The Tube &... Publish date: February 7, 2006
	Finding direction for the welding industry : We may provide more direction than we think By: Stephanie Vaughan, Contributing Writer In some ways, the welding industry is almost entirely in a class of its own. As far as manufacturing job prospects go, the welding... Publish date: January 10, 2006
	Measuring up: Benchmarking your workplace practices Editor's Note: This column was prepared by Todd Luchik, manager of content development and research for Winning Workplaces, a... Publish date: November 8, 2005
	Companies with solid training programs will survive the future By: Michael Long, Contributing Writer Every week I receive a phone call that goes something like this: "I need someone in here to train my guys now. We're behind in filling our... Publish date: April 11, 2005
	Not Your Parents' Workplace In recent years there has been considerable discussion of a coming labor shortage. A large number of workers are expected to leave the work... Publish date: March 8, 2005
	Balancing work and life : A commonsense approach to working smarter and living better By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager Now more than ever before, it's important to work smarter—to strengthen your job performance and productivity without letting your... Publish date: January 11, 2005
	Leadership lessons from the forge : Getting 2005 off on the right foot By: Dr. Bob Rausch, Ph.D., Contributing Writer, inspired by Bob Nichols Bob Nichols is a metallurgist in the steel industry. He also is a part-time blacksmith on the weekends. In the midst of one of his weekend... Publish date: January 11, 2005
	Wise words from the mountaintop—Part 12 : Continuous improvement: When ideas flow like a river, cash flows too By: Gerald Davis, Contributing Writer Editor's Note: This is the twelfth episode in a mountaintop dialogue that Gerald has been having with a "wise business guru." They have been... Publish date: December 1, 2004
	Wise words from the mountaintop—Part 11 : Measuring success: Developing feedback systems By: Gerald Davis, Contributing Writer Editor's Note: This is the eleventh episode in a mountaintop dialogue that Gerald has been having with a "wise business guru." He has been advised... Publish date: November 1, 2004
	U.S. manufacturing – A look at the future work force and its needs By: Ron Wood, Contributing Writer Large corporations with unionized plants dominated the mass production industry in almost every category of durable and nondurable goods.... Publish date: November 9, 2004
	Managing Success: The value of rewards Editor's Note: This column was prepared by the staff of Winning Workplaces, a not-for-profit organization that helps small and midsized... Publish date: November 9, 2004
	Wise words from the mountaintop—Part 10 : Cutting expenses to facilitate cash flow, Reversing the equity-into-debt trend By: Gerald Davis, Contributing Writer Editor's Note: This is the tenth episode in a mountaintop dialogue that Gerald has been having with a "wise business guru." They have been talking... Publish date: October 12, 2004
	Wise words from the mountaintop—Part 9 : Becoming acquainted with your niche: Where does your business fit in your industry�s ecosystem By: Gerald Davis, Contributing Writer Editor's Note: This is the ninth episode in a mountaintop dialogue that Gerald has been having with a "wise business guru." They have been talking... Publish date: September 14, 2004
	Wise words from the mountaintop—Part 8 : Yeah, money talks, but so do procedures By: Gerald Davis, Contributing Writer Editor's Note: This is the eighth episode in a mountaintop dialogue that Gerald has been having with a "wise business guru." They have been... Publish date: August 10, 2004
	Job Burnout—Part 3 : An organizational perspective By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager This is the last in a series of articles about job burnout. Part I discussed the causes. Part II covered symptoms and solutions from an... Publish date: August 10, 2004
	Wise words from the mountaintop—Part 7 : Focusing on the bottom line: Risk and fit By: Gerald Davis, Contributing Writer Editor's Note: This is the seventh episode in a mountaintop dialogue that Gerald has been having with a "wise business guru." They have been... Publish date: July 13, 2004
	Job Burnout—Part 2 : Symptoms and Solutions By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager If the amount of feedback Part I of this series generated is a good barometer, job burnout is a huge problem potentially affecting many... Publish date: July 13, 2004
	The value of empowerment Editor's Note: This column was prepared by the staff of Winning Workplaces, a not-for-profit organization that helps small and midsized... Publish date: July 13, 2004
	Wise words from the mountaintop—Part 6 : This is not your father�s pricing method: There are ways and there are ways By: Gerald Davis, Contributing Writer Editor's Note: This is the sixth episode in a mountaintop dialogue that Gerald has been having with a "wise business guru." They had been talking... Publish date: June 8, 2004
	Job Burnout—Part 1 : The real causes By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager If you are employed, you're lucky to have a job. Perhaps you've heard this, thought it, or both. And it's true. With so many people out of... Publish date: June 8, 2004
	Wise words from the mountaintop—Part 5 : Making the Short List(s): Credit lessons on the mountain By: Gerald Davis, Contributing Writer Editor's Note: This is the fifth episode in a mountaintop dialogue that Gerald has been having with a "wise business guru." They have been talking... Publish date: May 4, 2004
	Dealing with difficult people : Giving time but saving energy By: Dr. Bob Rausch, Ph.D., Contributing Writer Whether the contact is in a group meeting, one-on-one, or even when you think about this person, you get the same negative feeling in the... Publish date: May 4, 2004
	Camp Manufacturing : 10 Rockford, Ill.-area students spend a week learning the trades By: Stephanie Vaughan, Contributing Writer Ah, the memories of summer camp. Swimming, sunscreen, hiking, bug spray, camping, arts and crafts. And the promise of an exciting... Publish date: October 1, 2003
	Wise words from the mountaintop—Part 4 : Financing your customer's manufacturing? Credit lessons on the mountain By: Gerald Davis, Contributing Writer "In the ideal time line of money, my best customer would prepay. In that situation, the shop's throughput would not matter because the customer's... Publish date: April 6, 2004
	Wise words from the mountaintop—Part 3 : Shortening the time line of money to improve cash flow By: Gerald Davis, Contributing Writer Editor's Note: This is the third episode in a mountaintop dialog that Gerald has been having with a "wise business guru." They have been talking... Publish date: March 11, 2004
	Wise words from the mountaintop—Part 2 : Strategic plan: reactive or proactive? Cash flow and beaver dams By: Gerald Davis, Contributing Writer Editor's Note: This is the second episode of a mountaintop dialog between Gerald and a wise business guru. Gerald has just been told that he has... Publish date: February 26, 2004
	Employee training : The benefits are many By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager Signs point to a manufacturing recovery—albeit slow—and employers are reinstating training. With many programs cut, where... Publish date: February 12, 2004
	Shedding light on negativity—Part 2 By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager Read Part I . Negative thoughts, feelings, opinions, and comments are normal. Each of us thinks and expresses negative thoughts every... Publish date: November 6, 2003
	Is your company a breeding ground for workplace violence? By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager Approximately 2 million U.S. workers are victims of workplace violence each year. In 1997 the National Institute of Occupational Safety and... Publish date: November 6, 2003
	Shedding light on negativity—Part 1 By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager Read Part II . Are you a negaholic—someone who almost always sees the glass as half or totally empty? Do you live or work... Publish date: October 9, 2003
	Budget cuts hit welding hard : Extraordinary effort is critical to welding programs� survival By: Stephanie Vaughan, Contributing Writer Bill Garner is outraged when he hears that Connecticut, where he teaches welding, would rather import welders than keep adult vocational... Publish date: September 25, 2003
	Tuning a piano—making the most of your best resources By: Dr. Bob Rausch, Ph.D., Contributing Writer Editor's Note: Is your company in survival mode? There are questions you should be asking and steps you can take to improve your... Publish date: July 24, 2003
	The future of vocational education By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager Many of those who responded that programs are still intact expressed concern that they may be cut in the near future. A Major Issue A... Publish date: June 12, 2003
	Overcoming organizational paralysis By: Dr. Bob Rausch, Ph.D., Contributing Writer What if you were powerless or incapable of moving? Wouldn't it be awful if you found yourself in a situation in which you knew you had all... Publish date: May 15, 2003
	Drawing on the strength of people : How one stamper is breaking the rules, retaining quality employees By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer When faced with a financial crunch, many companies react by immediately cutting employees and nixing training programs. While these... Publish date: April 10, 2003
	Getting the most for your money: 12 financial tips for welding professionals By: Bruce Fenton, Contributing Writer Before you know it, 2001 will be behind us, and between football on New Year's Day and the April 15 federal income tax filing deadline, you might... Publish date: August 16, 2001
	In Human Terms—The value of engaging the workforce By: Terry White, Contributing Writer In an era of declining employee loyalty, companies are discovering that a successful future may be linked directly to connecting with their... Publish date: May 30, 2001
	One more time: Tell me about motivation By: Terry White, Contributing Writer Probably no subject in the management world receives more attention but is more elusive than employee motivation. Much has been written about... Publish date: January 10, 2002
	Psychology for the tool room : How to open the lines of communication with your employees By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer OK, I admit it—I once was one of those guys. I knew everything there was to know about tool and die, and if you didn't believe it,... Publish date: March 13, 2003
	New machines do not a world-class company make By: Gary Conner, Contributing Writer President Bush paid Oregon a visit a few weeks ago. He spoke at length about the sagging Oregon economy. In fact, he held Oregon up as a poster... Publish date: March 28, 2002
	Listening to the loud messages Editor's Picks -- Work Force Development Web Sites By: Theresa Houck, Contributing Writer One of the loudest messages of the day was that managers, presidents, and owners need to ask the employees actually doing the work for their... Publish date: July 12, 2001
	Job Satisfaction—Part 2 By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager Editors Note: This is part II in a series about job satisfaction. Please read: Part I and Part III Affirmations such as "I love my... Publish date: February 13, 2003
	Job Satisfaction—Part 1 By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager Editors Note: This is part I in a series about job satisfaction. Please read: Part II and Part III In the December 2002 issue of... Publish date: January 16, 2003
	Job Satisfaction—Part 3 By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager Editors Note: This is part III in a series about job satisfaction. Please read: Part I and Part II The good news is you... Publish date: February 27, 2003
	Controlling the costs of conflict : Opportunity to Gain a Competitive Edge By: Tom Oswald, Contributing Writer Lately, however, more forward-thinking and success-oriented business professionals are realizing a significant opportunity to contribute to their... Publish date: January 16, 2003
	Overcoming the skilled labor shortage By: Kevin Cole, Contributing Writer The booming business climate manufacturers experienced in the '90s increased the number of jobs available to skilled workers and lowered the... Publish date: May 15, 2001
	Feeling the effects of a welder shortage : The search is on to find skilled workers By: Kevin Kelleghan, Contributing Writer Close to a half-million people held a job as a welder, cutter, or welding machine operator last year, three-fourths of them in manufacturing and... Publish date: February 12, 2001
	Emotional thrills : Is your job shop more fun than a roller coaster? By: Gerald Davis, Contributing Writer Job shops experience many ups and downs. The key is to try to avoid the downs. I've studied job shops for years, my own in particular. In... Publish date: February 28, 2002
	Taking a look at performance appraisals By: Terry White, Contributing Writer As our work lives continue to become more complex, many managers are looking for assistance in the ongoing effort to achieve results—often... Publish date: March 28, 2002
	Keeping peace and harmony�with yourself, with your staff By: Gerald Davis, Contributing Writer Happy people create successful companies. "Everything in moderation" the adage goes. Do you maintain balance in your life? Running a business... Publish date: August 29, 2002
	Death, taxes, and the skilled labor shortage By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager Thirty-two percent of the skilled workers who responded to this survey currently are unemployed and have been job hunting from two weeks to a... Publish date: October 24, 2002

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