Shortage of Quality Manufacturing Job Applicants

On August 9, 2012, Chicago Tribune published an article titled "Manufacturing hurt by shortage of quality applicants, CEO says."

To prepare for the "one-year or two-year technical add-on," consider an Associate Degree in Applied Science at Oakton Community College or one of a number of manufacturing certificates including CNC Operations and Programming Preparation, CNC Programming, Manufacturing Technology, and Automation & Controls. Oakton's CNC Operations and Programming Preparation Certificate requires 10 credits to complete while its Associate Degree in Applied Science requires 60 credits. For more information about Oakton's Manufacturing Technology Program, see online or contact Dave Geller, Coordinator, at dgeller@oakton.edu or 847-376-7707.

In addition, the Tribune cited Edward Rust Jr., State Farm Mutual's chief executive, as having said "the U.S. needs workers with verbal and written communication skills, people who can think critically and possess intellectual curiosity." To prepare for these skills, Oakton offers a number of courses in a variety of subjects. The STEM200 is a program that provide communication skills training and experience thinking critically through research or research and design. Check out the STEM200 page for a list of upcoming research projects.