By Don Loepp (Plastics News) on October 31, 2012 1:02 PM ET
The Plastics Blog
Talent acquisition is a hot topic in North America, as manufacturers recover from the Great Recession. One old-fashioned model — for companies to train their own workers — is starting to get attention.
Blow molding machinery company Bekum America Corp. is one company that’s been doing apprentice training for a long time.
Today WLIX TV in Lansing, Mich., did a feature on Bekum’s program, which has attracted the attention of the Michigan Manufacturers Association — quite a feat given that Bekum is a fairly small manufacturer compared to the automotive companies in Michigan.
Plastics News has mentioned the program before — check out this 2006 story on company executive Gottfried Mehnert Bekum America, which mentions that the company has become a leader in Michigan’s School to Registered Apprenticeship program.
Bekum’s program is a partnership with Ferris State University and Lansing Community College.
Watch PlasticsNews.com and our print edition in the next few days for a feature on another apprenticeship-type program, involving Milacron LLC.
And for more information on workforce issues, check out the agenda for our upcoming Plastics News Executive Forum in Florida — talent acquisition is a special emphasis at the event this year.
