Project Breakdowns
Kraft Foods/Operating Engineers Local 399; Chicago
With Kraft facing large workforce exits in skilled trade positions, EDSI was contracted to help develop apprenticeship programs that will allow for new apprentice hires to quickly acquire the skills necessary for success. By starting these programs before Kraft's most senior and knowledgeable electricians and mechanics are eligible for retirement, Kraft will ensure the new apprentices will become the subject matter experts of the future. Working with the Kraft Foods Chicago Bakery and IUOE Local 399, EDSI developed an Electro-Mechanical Technician Apprenticeship and Training Program. Utilizing Skilldex, EDSI developed a program for Kraft to address current employee skills as well as future skilled trade needs. EDSI worked closely with the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC) on the creation of training standards and the development of training deliverables.
SPS Technologies
SPS Technologies specializes in the production of precision machined parts for the aircraft and defense industries. Their growing business created more than 150 new job openings which were, largely due to the skills necessary, becoming increasingly hard to fill. Working with SPS Technologies, EDSI analyzed the skills necessary to perform the jobs, conducted employee skill surveys and produced job matching and skill gap reports. Additionally, EDSI designed an on-the-job training program, allowing new hires to increase their skills through a series of varied job assignments.
South Central Pennsylvania Workforce Investment Board
EDSI conducted analyses of manufacturing maintenance functions at several South Central Pennsylvania employer locations to identify regional skill gaps. Through the creation of organizational Skills Balance Sheets, EDSI provided each company with a detailed look at current skill levels and identified current and future training needs. In addition to individualized reports, EDSI produced a combined report offering a detailed view of manufacturing maintenance skills on a region-wide basis. The results of the gap analyses have been used to prioritize resources for incumbent worker training.
Pfaltzgraff - Rapid Response
As a result of the York, Pennsylvania Pfaltzgraff factory closing, more than 250 people lost their jobs. EDSI was part of a team delivering rapid response services to employees at the factory. Our staff conducted job analyses, skill surveys, and provided job matching and skill gap reports to identify the skills of the workforce and match those skills with jobs available in the community. Working with the York County CareerLink and the Manufacturers' Association of South Central Pennsylvania, EDSI helped the majority of the workforce transition to new jobs with comparable wages and benefits.
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority
In anticipation of the arrival of 200 new rail vehicles, EDSI conducted job analysis, developed and delivered skill and knowledge assessments and analyzed skill gaps of the commuter rail maintenance workforce. EDSI worked with SEPTA's technical training department to efficiently address the most critical skill gaps for 300 employees over a two year period.
Pennsylvania American Water/Utility Workers Union Local 537
American Water is the largest investor-owned regulated water utility in Pennsylvania and provides high quality, reliable water and/or wastewater services to more than two million people in more than 380 Pennsylvania communities in 36 counties. With a workforce of approximately 1,000 employees, many are represented by UWU local 537. Working with the joint labor-management training committee over the past three years, EDSI analyzed five jobs, developed and administered skill assessments to more than 85 mechanics identifying skill gaps to help prioritize training needs. With the skill gaps identified, EDSI worked with the joint labor-management committee to develop customized training curriculum.
Harley Davidson Engineering Skill Gap Analysis
EDSI conducted a plant-wide job analysis and skill survey of engineering functions at Harley Davidson's York, Pennsylvania vehicle manufacturing facility. At the time, new technology was being implemented in the following areas: robotic equipment, programmable logic controller (PLC) electronic control systems, laser cutting equipment and sophisticated chemical equipment for painting and galvanizing motorcycle body parts. EDSI provided Harley Davidson with data identifying current and future skill gaps in the engineering department with a focus on these new technology areas.
Highgate Hotels
Highgate Hotels took advantage of EDSI's customizable training programs for their New York City hotels. The training was designed to improve the skills of Human Resources Managers and launch an extensive training initiative geared toward improving their internal training in front office, housekeeping, engineering, and food and beverage departments. 24 Human Resources personnel attended the training and took the knowledge they learned back to their locations to train staff. Twelve Highgate Hotel brands were included in the training.