Focus on Auto Industry
Rationale for focus on Needs and Opportunities in the Auto Manufacturing Industry
While the auto manufacturing industry is part of the broader manufacturing industry in America, there are many distinctive aspects of how it performs its work that substantiates the proposed focus on this sector. Currently distinctive aspects include:
1. Flexible manufacturing lines that are able to produce multiple products with minimum time and cost required for changeover.
2. The ability to profitably respond to fluctuating customer demand by being able to produce "lot size of one" runs while realizing the efficiencies and cost benefits of mass production.
3. The green factory, reduced emissions and landfill, increased recycling, supported by specialized manufacturing and environmental technicians.
4. The ever increasing use of electronics and computers in vehicles and the impact on the design and manufacture of parts and components from suppliers.
The focus on the Auto Manufacturing Sector is substantiated by its size and impact on the economy. The automobile manufacturing industry produces a higher level of output in the United States than any other single industry, and this output has been growing, according to the Center for Automotive Research (CAR). Automotive manufacturing located in American produced 12.3 million vehicles in 2002. It is estimated that this number grew substantially in 2003 and is predicted to grow again in 2004. The 2.4 million workers and the $111 billion impact on the economy make auto manufacturing a critical area. These workers are involved in all aspects of manufacturing at large and small companies. All of this translates into jobs and earnings for the workforce, and a significant contribution to the economy and quality of life in America/
Focus on the Auto Manufacturing Sector will add the critical element of context to the development and improvement of learning. Contextual learning adds to the success of the learning itself and to the success of applying and adapting that learning to the workplace.
The rapid implementation of advanced computer based manufacturing technologies means that many tasks that used to be performed by unskilled labor are now performed by automated computer controlled automation. This change results in a growing need and opportunity for workers with the skills and knowledge to design, install, maintain, and program these automated systems.
The competitive market has created the need to customize production to provide a "lot size of one" capability with the efficiencies of "mass production." This means that technicians and engineers in manufacturing are now involved in more research and development, as well as continuous process improvement, in addition to their role in assuring production and delivery of product.
These changes require that the education and training system that helps current and future workers learn the required skills and knowledge must also change and improve. The envisioned Center will help community colleges and other educational entities to address these learning needs. Because of the changes in the way work is done, growth in the industry, and retirements from an aging work force, skilled and knowledgeable workers for the automotive industry are in high demand.
All current and future workers within the auto manufacturing industry are now expected to be "multi-functional" and must learn and apply and ever larger set of skills and knowledge. They are also expected to produce more output through the use of technology, and accomplish a higher level of quality, with more frequent changes. This dictates that skills and knowledge be learned to a level of performance that significantly exceeds that of only a few years ago. Workers need to meet the skill standards of industry in order for the industry to be successful and for the individual workers to be successful.
The industry demands that all parts of the system must be able to achieve the same levels of quality, be innovative and continuously increase productivity to deliver more value for less cost. As a critical supplier and input to the auto manufacturing industry, the education and training community must meet or exceed these same expectations.