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Train the “Why,” Not Only the “What”

January 22, 2025
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Regular capital investments made within metal forming companies, whether they be software, hardware or human resources, are necessary to fuel productivity and quality and to help ensure enduring competitiveness. However, often the folks on the shop floor responsible for leveraging these investments to their full potential can become confused as to why these solutions are enacted. Questions and comments heard on the floor and in the lunchroom include:

  • Why do we need to automate this operation; aren’t I doing a good enough job?
  • This new software just raises my stress level and creates more work for me.
  • Really, you want me to train this new, young person, just so he can take my job?

These types of concerns speak to what may be a disconnect between those on the floor and the management team. While many metal forming executives invest mightily in skills training, I wonder how successful we are in knowledge training—knowledge not only needed to perform their jobs but to also understand why new technology and procedures are being implemented.  

Educating workers on the “why” gives them a deeper understanding of the purpose and impact of their work. The same holds true when companies invest in cross-function training, giving team members a broader scope of the operation and opportunities to expand their skills and knowledge. This leads to increased engagement, better decision-making and overall improved performance. A knowledgeable team on the floor will take greater ownership of their tasks and be better equipped to look for problems—and address them.   

Time and again, surveys reveal that employees rate professional development as the number-one way to improve workplace culture. Elevating the importance of building knowledge in addition to skill: Most manufacturers, according to a recent Wipfli’s survey, report that they grapple with “innovation skills gaps.”

“Across the manufacturing sector, competitiveness will increasingly hinge on having a workforce that can run complicated and digitized operations,” writes Wipfli partner Mark Stevens, in a recent blog post. “Learning new skills can be intimidating. Training conducted in a way that alleviates frustration will reduce the potential for staff to become discouraged and leave … You’ll have greater employee buy-in for building a digital-ready workforce and more flexibility for managing day-to-day workflow. Likewise, employees who have more control over their job paths and the opportunity to earn higher pay will be more inclined to stay, contributing to overall productivity and innovation.”

Finally, trained employees think innovatively, make informed decisions and perform tasks more efficiently. Just be sure to add knowledge training to the regimen. When the production team understands management’s reasoning behind capex investments and changes in procedures, it will be more accepting to those changes and more willing to put forth maximum effort to ensure success. 

Some key stats: Company training programs yield 218% higher income/employee than those without formalized training; and 92% of workers think workplace training positively impacts their job engagement.

Says PMA director of training Dean Phillips: “The best companies have a 3:1 hire-to-stay ratio, and the worst a 10:1 ratio.  Training holds the key to engagement and retention.”

Industry-Related Terms: Forming, Hardware, Run, Forming
View Glossary of Metalforming Terms

 

See also: Precision Metalforming Association, Wipfli LLP, Wipfli LLC

Technologies: Training

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