Q&A: Program Fights the Skilled Worker Shortage

By Theresa Houck, Executive Editor

The skilled worker shortage is stifling the manufacturing industry. Meanwhile, U.S. military personnel have incredible skills that would be valuable to manufacturers. The two are brought together by the Academy of Advanced Manufacturing (AAM), an amazing joint initiative created by ManpowerGroup and Rockwell Automation help find a way to fill the estimated 2 million manufacturing jobs that will be unfilled by 2025.

The AAM trains military veterans for careers in high-demand technical roles, equipping them with unmatched skills for the manufacturing sector.

I wanted to know more about this powerful collaboration that’s a clever way to fill jobs. So I talked with Jim Rupert, Cincinnati Unit Business Manager for Rockwell Automation Platinum System Integrator Partner EOSYS to learn about benefits employer get from participating in the AAM program.

I also chatted with U.S. Navy veteran Kyle Radley, who shed light on the extensive training he underwent through AAM and how it culminated in him receiving multiple job offers, ultimately choosing a controls engineer position with EOSYS.

Here’s part of our conversation. You can access the full interview in our “Automation Chat" podcast, “A Big Deal: AAM Helps Manufacturers & Veterans Team Up to Fill Jobs,” on your favorite podcast app or on the web, or watch our conversation on YouTube.

Theresa: What is the AAM program?

Kyle: The AAM program is a 12-week training program that covers both technical and professional competencies. It's completely free for veterans who go to the program. It does provide room and board. They provide free lunch, and a per diem to assist with breakfast and dinner as well as on the weekends.

And some of the key things that they teach at the program include industrial automation principles, PLCs, networks, visualization, VFDs, instrumentation and machine safety.

Some of the major competencies focus on accelerating your team performance. That means they help with communication, help navigate change, manage conflict, and work on presentation skills. So, they help veterans with many of the skills they required during their military careers.

To participate in the AAM program, you have to complete an in-depth screening and assessment process to ensure that you're a good fit for the program and that you’ll be successful in the industrial automation industry.

Theresa: How does the AAM program help manufacturers with hiring initiatives?

Jim: The program does a good job of preparing both the students and candidates professionally and in technical aspect. We're just looking for ways to get people interested in the system integration world. And for us, this was just another avenue.

And the two veterans that we've hired out of the AAM program have played key roles in development and delivery of control solutions for a multitude of different customers. Long term, this is like an ongoing project. You must continuously reach out and be engaged looking for the next opportunity to hire.

Theresa: What's involved in taking the program and an AAM class?

Kyle: In an AAM class, you’re relocated to either the Milwaukee or Cleveland area, where the AAM classrooms are. From there, it consists of about 12 weeks of combined instructor-led classroom learning, as well as a heavy emphasis on laboratory work. They have a very all-inclusive lab with all the latest Rockwell Automation technology and equipment, and that helps reinforce what they teach in the classroom.

The curriculum has a heavy focus on practical applications and the implementation of industrial automation systems.

They assist you in almost every way that they can. And because of that, the success of that program can be tied directly to the support that they give as well as the experience gained while you're building that knowledge in the class. Graduates from the AAM Program are certified in these skills.

Theresa: How did Rockwell Automation and EOSYS learn about the AAM program and get involved with it?

Jim: From the EOSYS perspective, Shaun Guy, our vice president of business development, originally worked for Rockwell Automation before joining with us. He was in contact with a former colleague at Rockwell Automation, and they brought the AAM to our engineering team to look for a possible recruiting resource.

The AAM team did a presentation for us, and we recognized that it was a great program and a good recruiting stream for us. So, we moved quickly once we got past the introduction and signed up for the program.

Theresa: What is EOSYS? What do you do?

Jim: EOSYS as a company has five different locations and is spread out in the South and in the Midwest. We do system integration, which is everything from automation controls, digital transformation, any anything else that supports industrial automation. That’s why we’ve partnered with Rockwell Automation, because our two companies align with our solutions and services.

Powerful Resource

With an intricate understanding of both the program’s objectives and the needs of manufacturers, EOSYS is a great example showcasing the seamless integration of military talent into advanced manufacturing jobs. Manufacturers can follow their example by contacting the Academy of Advanced Manufacturing to see how they can help fill open positions.

Learn how Rockwell Automation and ManpowerGroup developed the AAM.

Know a veteran who wants to apply for the AAM program? They can use this Application Form.

Like this article? Sign up for the digital magazine (4X/year) and e-newsletter from The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork and get articles like this delivered right to your inbox.

^{The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork™ is published by Endeavor Business Media.}