Like many companies throughout the nation, Perdue Farms is balancing the efficiencies offered through modern technology with the available pool of qualified workers. According to The Atlantic, 80 percent of the manufacturing companies in the United States say they cannot find enough workers with the proper skills to fill open positions at their facilities. This trend has forced manufacturers in recent years to put expansion plans on hold, curbing production and ultimately their bottom line. The same training problems have prevented the jobless from re-entering the workforce.
Enter the Virginia Manufacturers Association (VMA) and ECPI University - in December 2011, the trade association announced ECPI as its exclusive academic partner to increase accessibility to manufacturing technology training and credentials developed by industry. Perdue Farms utilized this partnership to launch an on-site initiative with twenty of its employees having just completed 148 hours of training in:
* Mechatronics and Spatial Reasoning
* Math for Manufacturing
* Chemistry
* Thermal and Fluid Dynamics
* Electricity
* Controls
* Teamwork, Workplace Behaviors and Business Acumen
"Properly-trained maintenance technicians can
do a lot to help save companies both energy and money," says ECPI faculty member Keith Hornberger. "For example, by changing the speeds of the conveyor and gear ratios, or installing a variable frequency drive, they can ensure that each machine is operating at optimal efficiency. There are also many instances when a part may be worn or faulty, and while the machine still works, it operates less productively."
So, how does ECPI train workers who are years removed from the classroom? "As far as teaching techniques go, it's very similar to what we do on campus," says ECPI Virginia Beach Campus President Kevin Paveglio. "We introduce the principle and immediately put it into practice, reinforcing everything with real-world, hands-on applications."
Based on pre- and post-assessments, participant scores increased 29 percent, nine points greater than initial projections. "They really took the bull by the horns," says ECPI faculty member Lance Blevins. "The whole group was very receptive and really wanted to learn. In fact, we had one of the most
tenured associates who ended up being one of the best students in the class. Bottom line: you're never too old to learn."  | | Perdue Farms Technician Rodney Sutton |
Perhaps one of the greatest benefits lies in the increased understanding each maintenance technician has for the other. "The mechanical technicians better understand the role of the electrical technicians and vice versa," says Hornberger. "This really fosters teamwork and enhances camaraderie." "I've gotten a lot out of it," says Perdue Farms Maintenance Technician Michael Selby who has been with the company 12 years. "I feel like I have a much better understanding of electrical components, measurements, equipment on the floor and - most importantly - how to troubleshoot. I would recommend this training to anyone, no matter how long they've been with the company or how long it's been since they've been in school."
"It gives you a broader view of what we're dealing with on the floor," says Perdue Farms Maintenance Mechanic Tim Bend who has worked with Perdue just four months. "It also gives you a much better understanding of why management makes
certain decisions."
"Once workers have that broader view, they are far more likely to embrace change and that represents a real long-term benefit," says Paveglio. Ultimately, Perdue will also have more people on the floor who can observe operations with a greater eye for detail. The result: reduced energy and water consumption and increased profit.
To learn more about the Manufacturing Technology Training program through ECPI University, visit http://www.ecpi.edu/technology/program/vma/ or contact Katherine DeRosear at kderosear@vamanufacturers.com.  | |
ECPI faculty member Lance Blevins describes internal components of an AC motor and gearbox.
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