10/22/2006 4:00:00 AM Training is key Manufacturing growth depends on adequate staff
By JASON SOIFER The Daily Courier
PRESCOTT VALLEY The idea started to form in Dean Kuenstler's mind earlier this year.
While attending a conference on aerospace and defense in Phoenix, Kuenstler gazed at a map projecting population growth in this region and realized that a strong manufacturing sector is vital.
"We need something up here to galvanize us and bring us together," he said.
Kuenstler's idea eventually morphed into the Yavapai Manufacturing Association, a countywide partnership of local politicians, community and economic development professionals, manufacturers and Yavapai College.
The association aims to bolster specialty manufacturing in the county through building a network of companies to share information and ideas and provide an educational foundation for employees.
"It's going to take time to make something like this a viable venture for all members," he said.
Kuenstler, senior director of operations with Night Vision Systems, said members are looking at ways to train employees on skills like light soldering that they can apply to various jobs.
"We are trying to identify basic skills that transcend other products," he said. "This is a skill that can be used across the board."
Norela Harrington, president of Bent River Machine in Clarkdale and an association member, said an adjunct instructor from the college teaches manufacturing classes at their facility and there is a need for more training options.
"We have felt in our company there is a void in the education that's available in manufacturing," she said. "If I can turn out 10 kids every year, I think that would pretty much satisfy the demand on our side of the mountain."
That's where Yavapai College comes in.
Dr. James Horton, president of college, said the alliance is important to help fill jobs in the sector.
"One of the challenges we have is reaching critical mass so that we can provide for the employment needs that exist in our area," he said. "We feel like if we can get enough of the small manufacturers together, we'll be more effective, which in turn will help attract other companies to our area."
Horton said in a press release the main issue affecting manufacturers is a trained workforce and the association allows members to gauge the needs in the industry, provide training for members and retain graduates with good paying jobs and benefits.
Classes could start in early 2007, according to Horton.
"If we form a group, we'll have more of an opportunity to attract state funding," he said.
Some businesses are taking the initiative and going after state or federal monies to cover employee education.
NVS received a $263,000 grant in August from the Arizona Department of Commerce for employee training and continuing education.
Kuenstler said they offer "very aggressive" internal training to the 50 employees at the business.
"They've all received some form of training in the last 18 months," he said. "It (the grant) will help us stay on the leading edge of technology."
