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The Skills Gap - How Ariens has tackled the issue
by Rich Rovito, WMEP Industry Reporter
 | | Rovito |
Over the years, I've spent considerable time writing and reporting on the manufacturing skills gap. It remains a topic of concern for the industrial sector in Wisconsin as business, education and political leaders continue to work to develop solutions to a problem that stems from manufacturers struggling to fill open jobs while thousands of unemployed workers search for employment but don't have the necessary skills to make them immediately viable candidates.
During the course of my coverage of the topic, Dan Ariens, president and chief executive officer of privately held Ariens Co., a Brillion-based outdoor power equipment manufacturer, has been held up as an example of a top-level leader who is taking noteworthy steps in dealing with the issue.
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Manufacturing Success with LinkedIn
 | | Stockert |
by Gary Stockert
Business Development Manager, SMCPros
Last week I had the pleasure of speaking twice in two days in Wisconsin to a group of leaders representing manufacturing and engineering firms in Wisconsin. (At two WMEP Lunch & Learns about social media, of course)!
To get the most out of any social network, you have to participate. The reality is that you are time-starved. Nevertheless if you want to start with social media, here are your daily "5 in 5" to get the most out of the LinkedIn site (in less than five minutes per day).
Read full blog post |
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Manufacturing Continues Upswing
 | | Vetta |
In 2012 First Business Economic Survey of Milwaukee-Waukesha Counties
Other Indicators Holding Steady
Manufacturing businesses continue to lead firms in other sectors in Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties in 2012, according to a report released today by First Business Bank presented at Workforce: The 2013 Priority.
The survey, sponsored by First Business Bank and conducted by the A.C. Nielsen Center for Marketing Research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business, indicates manufacturing businesses reported increased sales revenue, profits, employment and wages in 2012.
"Manufacturing continues to drive the economic upswing in Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties," says Dave Vetta, President of First Business Bank-Milwaukee. "We will need to build on that base and work to extend that strength to other sectors of the business community."
First Business Bank is the Keynote sponsor of Manufacturing Matters! 2013
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 Manufacturers in northeast Wisconsin display confidence heading into 2013
A majority of manufacturers in northeast Wisconsin manufacturers expect sustained sales growth in the coming year, while nearly one in three industrial firms plan on hiring in each quarter of 2013, according to the Northeast Wisconsin Manufacturing Alliance's Manufacturing Vitality Index.
Nearly 97 percent of survey respondents indicated that they expect their companies' financial condition in the next six to 12 months to be "healthy" or "quite healthy."
Firms remain divided, however, on their ability to attract highly skilled and technically trained staff, which has been an ongoing issue for manufacturers throughout the state.
Click for full report
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