Northern Colorado Manufacturing Partnership Makes Impact
9/30/2014
According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. manufacturing sector
has turned a corner. For the first time in over 10 years, output and
employment are growing steadily. Manufacturing output has grown 38
percent since the end of the recession, and the sector accounts for 19
percent of the rise in real gross domestic product (GDP) since then.
Through May, the sector has added 646,000 jobs, and manufacturers are
actively recruiting to fill another 243,000 positions.
The NoCO Manufacturing Partnership is celebrating this success and more
during Manufacturing Week, September 29 to October 4. The group of more
than 50 northern Colorado manufacturing companies and 20 public
partners established the Manufacturing Partnership in 2013 to address
common issues in the industry.
The partnership has identified three key areas for collaboration:
networking and local supply chain issues, changing the perception of the
industry and developing vocational/technical skills as a career pathway
for youth and adults in transition. The partnership has private and
public partners working together to address the key areas. Their
mission statement is: "Partners working passionately to ensure Northern
Colorado Manufacturers and our Communities thrive."
Paul Harter, President/CEOf Aqua Hot Heating Systems, Inc., is serving
as the private industry coordinator for the partnership.
"In the past year the NoCo Manufacturing Partnership has demonstrated
the power of public and private entities working together. We've
already had great success in reaching out to students, working with
educators, and becoming better connected as an industry," said Harter.
The partnership has hosted industry "In-Site Tours" at Whip Mix,
Woodward and New Belgium Brewing with a tour planned at Aqua Hot Heating
Systems in October. As well, the partnership hosted plant tours for
high school students in April with the plans of continuing to provide
hands-on, interactive opportunities for students to learn about
manufacturing as a career.
"The time I've put into this partnership over the last year has already paid me back ten times over," said Harter.
The partnership has provided a tremendous opportunity for individual
companies to share resources and as they promote manufacturing
throughout the region. And according to Harter, they have already been
successful. "No dues, no politics, just professional men and women
working together to advance a vital part of our economy and way of life -
that's the NoCo Manufacturing Partnership."
To learn more about the partnership, contact Lynn Vosler, Director of
Workforce Development at Front Range Community College, at
lynn.vosler@frontrange.edu.