12 Dec Advanced Manufacturing Human Resources Dialogue with Baxter Healthcare Corporation & Top Manufacturers
Sherman Oaks, CA – The Advanced Manufacturing Human Resource Dialogue, hosted by Cal State University, Northridge, and sponsored by The Valley Economic Alliance and Regional Higher Learning Consortium, took place on Friday, March 21, 2014.
Human Resource professionals from some of the largest advanced manufacturing businesses in the greater San Fernando Valley were given an opportunity to have a roundtable discussion to share employee training best practices and how to access state dollars to enhance incumbent worker training and to learn from business leaders the critical employee skills needed to keep their company competitive.
The panel discussion included Darwin Richardson, Plant Manager, Baxter Healthcare Corporation on upgrading skills for current employees through training, higher education and the benefits of partnering with college’s and their training programs for an effective and invested workforce. Richardson also added that by utilizing Los Angeles Valley College’s talented educators, Baxter Healthcare Corporation was able to train 400 employees in 1 week and took advantage of Employment Training Panel dollars to offset their training expense by approximately 70 percent.
“The College of the Canyons Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Fast track education and training program is increasingly used by Northern LA County manufacturers to grow a skilled workforce. This continuous solution allows us to acquire new entry level personnel throughout the year along with our neighboring aerospace employers,” said William Barrit, CFO, Aerospace Dynamics International regarding developing new talent through fast track training.
Moderated by Kenn Phillips, Vice President, The Valley Economic Alliance, businesses and higher learning institutions were challenged to identify what we can do collectively in order to make advanced manufacturing companies more competitive.
Preparing future talent through educational design and internships was an example by Dr. S. Jimmy Ghandi, Assistant Professor at Cal State University, Northridge – College of Engineering & Computer Science. Ghandi announced the new Ernie Schaffer Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship program that offers creative thinking workshops for students, campus wide focus on innovation and creation of an on campus incubator, with a 3D printer for joint industry projects.
Participating manufacturing companies represent more than 25,000 employees. Attendees included Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Bobrick Washroom Equipment, Aerospace Dynamics International, Superior Thread Rolling and Louroe Electronics.
The Advanced Manufacturing Human Resources Dialogue is one of 4-special events. The next event is the Manufacturing Matters Summit and Workshops, set for Friday, April 30, 2014 from 7:30am-10:00am, at Los Angeles Valley College, Monarch Hall. For more information and to register contact Angela Amirkhanian, Special Projects Coordinator, The Valley Economic Alliance, at aamirkhanian@economicalliance.org.