Congressman Carney hosted a roundtable discussion on preparing workers for modern manufacturing jobs

NEW CASTLE, Del. — Congressman John Carney (D-DE) hosted a roundtable discussion today at the Delaware Tech Innovation & Technology Center to hear directly from employees and trainers on the skills needed by today’s manufacturing companies.  Monday’s discussion was the first in a series of events Congressman Carney is hosting during his Make it in Delaware Week to gather ideas for legislative proposals that would revitalize manufacturing in the U.S. and Delaware.  To read Congressman Carney’s Make it in Delaware plan, click here.

Participants in the roundtable included Jeremiah Chance, a current employee of Kraft and former Chrysler employee; Sam Ferrara, a former Chrysler employee; Bryan Markiewicz, Manufacturing Manager at Testing Machines; Tom McCarthy, Director of the Delaware Tech Innovation & Technology Center; and Rustyn Stoops, Deputy Director of the Delaware Manufacturing Extension Partnership.

“We need to make things in America again if we’re going to continue to have a robust economy capable of competing in the global marketplace,” said Congressman Carney.  “Talking to those who confront these challenges every day is critical to coming up with ways to revitalize American manufacturing. Today, we heard some good ideas from employees and job seekers facing challenges on where there are areas for growth in manufacturing, and how to prepare American workers for those jobs.  I’m looking forward to hearing more throughout the rest of this week.”

U.S. manufacturing jobs have been declining for more than three decades.  Since 2000, manufacturing jobs have decreased from 17 million to about 12 million.  With the loss of companies like Chrysler, GM, Avon, and others, Delaware has lost more than 15,000 manufacturing jobs in the last 14 years.  

“Education is key.  There are no more unskilled labor jobs.  We don’t have blue collar anymore.  It’s blue-tech collar,” said Sam Ferrara, former Chrysler employee, when asked about the skills employees need entering the workforce.

Over the last few years, signs show that manufacturing jobs are beginning to come back to the U.S.   Companies like Apple, General Electric, and Whirlpool that had moved production overseas, are now bringing jobs back. 

Kraft Foods recently brought its Kool-Aid brand back from Mexico to Dover, and invested $10 million to expand its facility.  In 2013, ILC purchased Grayling Industries, a manufacturer of industrial packaging products, and moved the facility from Juarez, Mexico to Seaford.  Grayling is in the process of hiring 115 employees, and full-scale operations will begin in July.

Bryan Markiewicz, Manufacturing Manager at Testing Machines added, “When we look for employees, we look for applicants where we can build on their potential -- people who want to learn and have the drive to learn.”

Training and staying updated on changes in technology “is a shared responsibility between a company and the employee,” said Rustyn Stoops, Deputy Director of the Delaware Manufacturing Extension Partnership.  “The company needs to make sure its employees are trained on the programs and processes it uses, but it’s up to the employee to look at the job market, plan for the skills that are needed the most, and get the necessary training.”

Today’s discussion was the first in a series of manufacturing events Congressman Carney is hosting this week.  Over the next several days, he will be hosting a tele-town hall, visiting manufacturing facilities in each county, speaking with students in the Manufacturing and Pre-Engineering program at Hodgson Vocational-Technical High School, and hosting a roundtable discussion with manufacturing managers and employers. 

###