Quick hits:
- The Processing Zone Innovation Stage will include the following presentations:
- Using IoT to Improve Process Cleaning System Efficiency
- How to Improve Performance with Spiral Immersion Processing
- Manufacturing 2022 and Beyond–Why Automation Alone is Not Enough
- The Power of a Systematic Approach to Process Improvement
- Even though positions are now opening up again after the pandemic, filling them with a quality workforce is proving difficult.
- The National Association of Manufacturers has made a Pledge of Action to reach out to minority communities and grow a more diverse workforce.
- PMMI’s apprenticeship program is nationally portable, industry-accepted, and third-party credentials-endorsed by the National Association of Manufacturers’ Skills Certification System and has been used by Amazon to create its apprenticeship program.
Related to this episode:
- Take Five Video: MWC, Kraft Heinz, CTI Foods Named 2021 Manufacturing Innovation Award Winners
- Take Five Video: B&G Foods, Liffey Meats, Graphic Packaging, and More Protect the Planet
- PACK EXPO Las Vegas and co-located Healthcare Packaging EXPO to Reunite the Packaging and Processing Industry this September
- Attract and Retain a Quality Workforce, Insights with Gardner Carrick at PMMI’s ELC
- PMMI's Mechatronics Apprenticeship Guidelines
- PMMI U offers educational employee development resources for members of the entire supply chain. Participate and learn more about its industry trainings, certifications, leadership development, career toolkit, and more.
 | Read the transcript below: |
Joyce Fassl: I'm Joyce Fassl, Editor-in-Chief of ProFood World, with a preview of The Processing Zone at PACK EXPO Las Vegas, September 27-29 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
The Processing Zone at PACK EXPO Las Vegas is back by popular demand. In today’s manufacturing environment, processing and packaging come together as an integrated system, making it more important than ever to bring both packaging and processing solutions under one roof. You can start your search for front-of-the-line solutions such as homogenizing, heat treating, forming/sizing and coating in The Processing Zone.
With the return of The Processing Zone, attendees will have the opportunity to discover solutions to help increase efficiency, achieve total system integration, and ensure safety.
Located in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, the Processing Zone will also feature a special Innovation Stage with free educational sessions.
Topics include:
- Using IoT to Improve Process Cleaning System Efficiency;
- The World’s First High Pressure Processing Keg for Juices and Beverages;
- Food Safe Facility Drainage Design;
- How to Improve Performance with Spiral Immersion Processing;
- The Latest High Pressure Processing Trends for Packaging, Plant-Based Foods, Pet Food and Red Meat;
- Manufacturing 2022 and Beyond–Why Automation Alone is Not Enough; and the
- The Power of a Systematic Approach to Process Improvement.
To end your day at the show, don’t miss ProFood World’s Sustainability Excellence in Manufacturing Awards on September 27, and Manufacturing Innovation Awards on September 28. Each day at 3:30 pm, award-winning food companies will discuss their projects in more detail at the Processing Zone Innovation Stage.
Hope to see you in Vegas!
Melissa Griffen: Hi, I'm Melissa Griffin, and today on our Take Five video, I'm discussing technical workforce development trends, both in connection to and beyond COVID-19.
In the recent executive leadership conference held by PMMI, the association for packaging and processing technologies, Gardner Kerrick, vice president of strategic initiatives at the Manufacturing Institute and National Association of Manufacturers presented on this topic. He noted that the industry has seen a significant increase in position openings for manufacturing though the numbers decreased when the pandemic hit. Yet, even though positions are now opening up again, filling them with equality workforce is proving difficult.
The National Association of Manufacturers has made a pledge of action to reach out to minority communities to grow a more diverse workforce. It provides the following programs, which were presented on in detail at PMMI's executive leadership conference meeting. Creators Wanted, which is directed towards high school graduates. The Heroes Makes America initiative, which is reaching out to veterans and those preparing to leave the service for their next career. The Step Women's Initiative, which not only reaches out to women, but highlights their success in the field and the Second Chance Operation, which is for those who have been previously incarcerated and are now starting a new.
The Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education Apprenticeship Program was also discussed and this is a multi-skilled maintenance technical program, which is run by multiple companies and is meant to further promote professional behavior in both speech and dress, and educate workers on the culture of manufacturing.
PMMI has a similar apprenticeship program, which provides guidelines for mechatronics technicians and is competency-based rather than time-based. This apprenticeship program, is based off of a PMMI is mechatronics certification tests, which are nationally portable, industry accepted, and third-party credentials endorsed by the National Association of Manufacturers skills certifications system. And it has been further used by Amazon to create its apprenticeship program.
