Page 20 - 2018 Jan Feb CFESA Magazine

OEM EDITORIAL

JEd ROwLEY

Engineering / Technical Support Manager
BKI

Eye On The Future of people with not just electro-mechanical
skills, but basic tool skills. I see this in
young people coming into our factor as
In considering a topic for this article, I
entry level assemblers – some hardly know
decided to comment on several interrelated
the difference between a screwdriver and
topics; all very important to our industry
a hammer, let alone a #2 Phillips and a
and all with “eye on the future.”
dead blow hammer! How many schools do
First and foremost, something I ponder
today offer basic shop classes? Can we not
almost every day is the ever-present
reverse this by educating our educators of
concern pertaining to “where will the
the need for these basic skill sets? Could we
technicians of the future come from”?
look at volunteering to provide educational
From the manufacturers perspective
training to organizations like the Boy Scouts
we see increased costs for warranty
of America?
repairs and long delays in repairs being
completed - often due to a shortage of
Manufacturers need to make service training
qualified technicians being available. This
and service support materials a higher
is presenting a significant challenge to
priority. This is a must do and starts with
us all, and we need to continue to work
budgeting. Many manufacturers do not
together to find creative ways of addressing
allocate sufficient financial resources to
the problem. CFESA is the correct central
technical training. I do want to be sure and
rallying point, and I would suggest we
recognize that a few manufacturers do a
all commit to working together to find great job – but in general, we can and need
solutions. to do better. Manufacturers are basically
competing for your technician’s time – we
From a recruiting effort, I would encourage need to be creative in what and how we
sharing all thoughts on how to present the offer support to our service partners.
service industry as a truly attractive career
opportunity. How do we accomplish this in Service companies need to be more vocal in
a positive, factual, creative way that attracts a clear and concise manner stating exactly
young people entering the job market? what they need from a manufacturer. Be
From a training effort, CFESA has specific – what product, how many techs
been leading the charge and doing an and how much of your technicians’ time
outstanding job; but this also needs to have can you afford to have them in any single
everyone’s involvement. training event? I personally would rather
train four times over two days and cover a
As an organization, I would suggest we piece of complicated equipment in a four-
address the problem of a shrinking pool hour class (repeated four times) than try

20 CFESA Magazine | JAN / FEB 2018 | www.cfesa.com