Small biz owners testify on how manufacturers strengthen economy, middle class

Manufacturing News, Source : The Manufacturer US
Published : 31 Jan 2007 17:08

Testifying today before the House Committee on Education and Labor, National Association of Manufacturers board member Kellie Johnson, President of ACE Clearwater Enterprises (based in Torrance, CA), emphasized the important role manufacturers are playing in strengthening the middle class by providing high paying jobs and good benefits.

“My company, like many others, continues to find ways to provide generous benefits in a time when the costs of such benefits realize double-digit increases from year to year,” Johnson noted. “Like any manufacturer, at ACE, our employees are our greatest asset.”

However, Johnson warned the Committee that manufacturers are facing many challenges to find qualified and skilled employees. “Our nation’s need to maintain its global edge in technology and innovation hinges on our ability to educate and prepare people for the jobs of the 21st century,” Johnson said.

“As a third generation leading our company, I can say it is more difficult than ever to find the talent we require,” Johnson added. “ACE Clearwater is doing its part to remain vibrant despite a competitive global economy and ever increasing government regulations, but its ability to do so in the future is predicated on the availability of a highly skilled and adaptive workforce.”

A 2005 Skills Gap survey conducted by the NAM indicated that more than 80 percent of respondents could not find qualified workers to fill their job openings. The same survey also revealed that a startling 90 percent of respondents stated that they could not find enough skilled production employees, including front-line workers, such as machinists, operators, craft workers, distributors, and technicians, to fill their job openings.

Johnson also testified on the numerous initiatives her company is undertaking to attract, train and maintain a qualified workforce. As part of her efforts, Johnson has been named a Business Champion, an initiative by the NAM’s Manufacturing Institute/Center for Workforce Success, to expand educational opportunities at community/technical colleges for a broader range of students.

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