Bring Back Shop Class

Across all segments of South Florida’s growing manufacturing industry and in skilled trades nationwide, one key issue is becoming increasingly apparent – a shortage of skilled workers. My firm, Kaufman Rossin, partnered with Broward College to convene a forum between manufacturers, educators and the South Florida Manufacturers Association (SFMA). Although progress has been made, it’s more evident than ever that businesses and educators need to work together to develop tomorrow’s technical workforce.

The most interesting revelation at the forum was that many local educational and training institutions offer specific programs geared toward this industry, and some manufacturing companies have already engaged with area colleges, technical centers and the SFMA.

However, there are still obstacles to overcome. Manufacturers face an aging workforce and need to attract younger workers with the right technical and soft skills, like tinkering.  Companies want workers who are passionate about figuring out how things work and why. It’s great to see the Maker Movement start to take root locally, but it’s up to both manufacturers and educators to spark that innovative interest in young people as early as possible.

When I was a freshman in high school, I had the privilege of touring IBM’s New Orleans facility. I was awestruck. It was that trip that piqued my interest in the power of technology for business and set me on the path to the career I am in today. Shop class reinforced my curiosity, giving me an opportunity to tinker with tools and technology.

So how can we instill in tomorrow’s workforce a desire to design, engineer and build products that will propel our economy? Here are three ideas:

1. Bring back shop class – A modern version of shop class including robotics, aero tech and computer programming would spark interest in STEM careers and skilled trades.
2. Invite more students to visit shop floors – For example, medical manufacturer NIPRO Diagnostics partners with Boyd Anderson High School to invite students to tour its Ft. Lauderdale facility.
3. Build labs/workshops in high schools and middle schools – Incubators and maker spaces are popping up from Miami-Dade to Palm Beach, but businesses could lead the way by sponsoring hands-on labs within schools.

If manufacturers and educators work together to shape today’s students into tomorrow’s skilled workers, the future of manufacturing in South Florida will be bright.

Read this manufacturing article in the sunsentinel.com.