Sessions

The manufacturing sector is key to long-term economic growth, but that growth is possible only if the sector can attract and retain top talent. In a varied and dynamic industry, successful recruitment and retention strategies cannot be a one size fits all approach. The sessions in this workshop will discuss how to design effective talent management practices that succeed throughout the life and career cycles. You will hear from organizational leaders representing small, medium and large manufacturing organizations from across the US. You will learn:

• How to create and continuously develop a culture that values the well-being of employees and how this benefits the bottom line
• Best practices for attracting and retaining talent for manufacturing
• How to incorporate workplace flexibility among production line employees as part of organizational business strategies
• How to create programs within your communities that teach potential employees the skills needed to create candidate pools for current and future job needs

Detailed Agenda:

7:30 a.m. – Noon

Welcome & Overview of Trends and Challenges Facing Manufacturing Industry
Presenters: Mike Aitken, Vice President, Government Affairs, SHRM, Alexandria, VA.; Deb Cohen, Senior Vice President, Knowledge Development, SHRM, Alexandria, VA., Anne Weisberg, Senior Vice President, Strategy, Families and Work Institute, New York, NY.; and Dr. Kenneth Matos, Senior Director of Research, Families and Work Institute, New York, NY.

A View from the Top: TURCK
Join Dave Lagerstrom the President and CEO of TURCK Inc., a developer and manufacturer of sensors, connectors and networks, as he discusses his strategy to create a culture that values the well-being of its employees and the impact of culture on business results.
Presenter: Dave Lagerstrom, President and CEO, TURCK Inc., Plymouth, MN.

Best Practices in Attracting and Retaining Talent for Manufacturing
The manufacturing sector is competing with all industries for top talent. This panel represents companies including Taco, Inc. which develops and manufactures hydronic-based components for use in heating and cooling applications), JM Eagle, a manufacturer of PVC and PE plastic pipe and Globe Manufacturing Company, LLC, a manufacturer of fire suits and other protective clothing. These experts will share their views on how to attract and retain the next generation of workers.
Moderator: Dr. Kenneth Matos, Senior Director of Research, Families and Work Institute, New York, NY.
Panelists: Kyle Adamonis, Senior Vice President, Taco, Inc., Cranston, RI.; Nooshin Nathan, AVP Human Resources, JM Eagle, Los Angeles, CA.; and Gayle Troy, Human Resources Manager, Globe Manufacturing Company, LLC ,Pittsfield, NH.

Can Flexibility Work in Manufacturing? Reports from the Frontline
Research has clearly shown that flexibility is both a recruitment and retention tool, across all generations. But traditional workflex options like telework don’t transfer well to a manufacturing environment.  So, what does flexibility mean in the manufacturing context? Is it possible to deliver workflex to employees on the assembly line and what’s the case for trying? This panel of experts will discuss living the lessons described in the When Work Works Manufacturing Guide, and discuss the case studies.
Moderator: Dr. Kenneth Matos, Senior Director of Research, Families and Work Institute, New York, NY.
Panelists: Michele “Shelly” Green  Senior Vice President, Human Resources Operations, Building Systems and L&W Supply and Senior Director, Human Resources for USG Corporation, Chicago, IL.; Craig Porter, President/Owner, PlastiCert, Lewiston, MN. & Bernadette T. Scarola, HR Business Partner, American Sensor Technologies, Inc. a TE Connectivity company, Mt. Olive, NJ.

Closing Keynote: Build Your Own Pipeline
Learn how to take a strategic approach to filling your talent needs by creating programs within your communities that teach potential employees the skills needed to create candidate pools for current and future job needs. 
Presenter: Stephen Tucker, Director of Industry Partnerships, Partners for a Competitive Workforce, Cincinnati, OH.