Not to sound like a broken record, but hiring and retaining employees is still the No. 1 issue keeping business owners up at night. But despite the workforce alarm going off every morning (and mixed metaphors notwithstanding), the future holds promise if the industry works together to change the perception of manufacturing.
First the concerning news: According to the National Association of Manufacturers Outlook Survey: Second Quarter 2024, workforce challenges continue to dominate. More than 67 percent of manufacturers cited the inability to attract and retain employees as their top primary challenge, followed by rising health care costs (66.7 percent), an unfavorable business climate (59.6 percent) and a weaker domestic economy (56.8 percent).
However, according to the same study:
• While workforce challenges continue to top the list, it is notable that the percentage citing this as their top concern has been trending down, falling 18.2 percent since its peak in the fourth quarter of 2021.
• Manufacturers are exploring ways to improve recruitment and retention. Some of these special workforce programs include internships (74.7 percent), apprenticeships or earn-and-learn models (57.3 percent), high-school partnerships (55.1 percent), and college partnerships (48.9 percent).
What can we do?
Manufacturers, partnering with like-minded associations and educational institutions, can help to change attitudes toward careers in the industry, as well as nurture the next generation of rising stars and advocates. Case in point, in September, the AGMA Foundation Board of Trustees awarded $45,000 in scholarships to nine outstanding students pursuing careers in the gear industry. Each recipient will receive $5,000 to support their educational journey.
This would not be possible without the stakeholders in the industry pulling together. Funding for the scholarships comes from the AGMA Foundation’s endowment and contributions from AGMA member companies and industry supporters. This initiative aligns with the Foundation’s mission to attract, educate, and advance talent in the power transmission industry.
How does this help?
These scholarships are awarded annually to students at technical schools and undergraduate and graduate levels dedicated to advancing their careers in the gear and power-transmission sectors. This year’s recipients were selected based on an evaluation of their academic performance, career aspirations within the gear industry, community involvement, and financial need. By attracting top minds and helping them continue their education and expanding their expertise and innovation, the industry moves into the future with new leaders.
This year, seven of the nine awardees have connections to American Gear Manufacturers Association (AGMA) member companies. AGMA congratulates the scholarship winners and all the applicants for their dedication to their careers. They truly are the future of the industry.
Undergraduate scholars
Luis Arciniega: He is a junior at Minnesota State University – Mankato. While pursuing his degree in engineering with a mechanical focus, he is also employed by Croix Gear.
Henry Aiden Ford: He is a freshman at Purdue University and pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering. He also has worked at ITAMCO.
Faith Hyllberg: She is a senior at Grand Canyon University and pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering. She also has worked at Twin Disc in Racine, Wisconsin.
Brandon Jahoor: He is a sophomore at the University of Waterloo and pursuing a degree in mechatronics. He also has an internship at ODG.
Matthew Kolger: He is a senior at The Ohio University and pursuing a degree in aerospace engineering.
Michael Rinaldi: He is a freshman at Milligan University and pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering. He has ties to Artec Machine Systems.
Tyler Stiger: He is a sophomore at Grace College and pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering. He interns at ITAMCO.
Graduate
Enes Timur Ozdemir: He is a fourth year PhD student at the University of Massachusetts — Lowell and is pursuing a doctorate of mechanical engineering. His research interests are continuous and discrete modeling of linear and non-linear structural dynamics and vibrations of mechanical systems, electromechanical modeling of electric drive systems, and their interactions with power transmission components in electric vehicles.
Support the future of the industry
The AGMA Foundation’s 2024 annual campaign is in progress. To learn more or make a donation, go to: agmafoundation.org
In addition to the general scholarships, the Foundation is proud to offer a special scholarship from Linda and Bipin Doshi Scholarship Endowment to Nolan Finfrock. Finfrock, a sophomore at Purdue University West Lafayette, is pursuing dual degrees in mechanical engineering technology and mechatronics engineering technology and is interning with Schafer Industries.
The Doshi Scholarship Endowment, established in April 2018 with a $100,000 fund by Linda and Bipin Doshi, formerly of Schafer Industries, supports top applicants in the field.
Upcoming courses
Gearbox CSI: Forensic Analysis of Gear & Bearing Failures – Useful Tools for Optimizing Gear Design
October 22-31 | Live Online
A good understanding of individual failure modes and the failure scenarios that led to the actual system failure is an essential skill to designing gear/bearing systems that will operate properly for their full design life. In this course, we will define and explain the nature of many gear and bearing failures, and we will discuss and describe various actual failure scenarios. In addition, a detailed primer on bearing technology prefaces the failure-scenario discussions. You will gain a better understanding of various types of gears and bearings. Learn about the limitation and capabilities of rolling element bearings and the gears they support. Grasp an understanding of how to properly apply the best gear-bearing combination to any gearbox from simple to complex.
Gear Systems Design for Minimum Noise
November 12 -20, 2024 | Live Online
The need for noise control and its relation to gear drive design will be discussed. The general nature of noise and its measurement will be examined, with particular emphasis on terminology standards, and units of measurement appropriate to gear technology. Gear noise, per se, is seldom heard by an observer. The mechanism by which an observer noticed noise is generated and transmitted will be defined, described, and discussed. Before attempting to solve a noise problem with an existing unit or beginning the design of a new unit, the nature of the noise must be defined. Both experimental and analytical methods will be covered, with particular emphasis on application rather than theory.
To register or for a full list of the 2024 courses, go to: agma.org/events-education/upcoming-courses.
Upcoming webinars
Will the U.S. Impose Carbon Tariffs? How are subsidies for Electric Vehicle production impacting U.S. investment & manufacturing?
November 13, 2024 | 1-2 p.m. ET
Last year, the European Union implemented a program of new tariffs on imports designed to impose costs related to the carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that the EU determines are emitted during the production of those imports.
The United States is moving closer to a similar system, with increasingly detailed proposals being introduced in Congress with support from both sides of the aisle. At the same time, Congress and the Biden administration have rolled out a range of subsidies and other programs to promote the U.S. electric vehicle industry.
In this webinar we will examine those programs, their impact on bearing and gear companies, and what the future holds for further legislation and regulation in this area.
What Don’t You Know? An AGMA Emerging Tech Update
October 2, 2024 | 1-2 p.m. ET
AGMA’s Emerging Tech Committees have been busy in 2024.
We have had joint technology events, curated tour on the RAPID show floor, live emerging tech event at LIFT, guest speakers at committee meetings, and a stellar line-up for our webinar series.
In this webinar, you will hear about the technological advances you may have missed. Mary Ellen Doran will cover the latest and give you a preview of the 2025 calendar.
Instructor Interest Webinar
October 30, 2024 | 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. ET
AGMA is always looking for new instructors to teach its existing courses but also bring new ideas and create courses.
Let’s talk about how to do this and some of the classes AGMA is looking for instructors for and topics to consider for development, as well as hear from a panel of our current instructors.
To register for a webinar, go to: www.agma.org/events-education/upcoming-webinars
Calendar of events
October 16-17 — Condition Monitoring — Live Online
October 17 — AGMA Aerospace — Online
October 22-24 — Gear Failure Analysis — Chicago, Illinois
October 22-31 — Gearbox CSI — Live Online
October 24 — Bevel Gearing Committee — WebEx
October 24 — Robotics & Automation Committee — WebEx
October 31 — AGMA 948-Axx Repair Working Group — Online
November 7 — TDEC web meeting — Online
November 7 — Analytical Gear Chart Interpretation — Online
