Identifying the Industrial Skill Gap and Advancing Individual Learning Methodologies

Marvin L Bannister, Purdue University

Abstract

Nationally, manufacturing jobs are left unfilled (Queen, 2018). The economy suffers due to this deficit (Giffi, Dollar & Gangula, 2015). Research indicates that this deficit is due to the “skills gap” (Deloitte, 2018a, 2018b, 2018c). The intent of this research project was to determine the extent to which skills are correlated to performance, standards, and conditions. The project's methodology included research elements with a sample population (N) of ten metal manufacturing companies. Utilizing multiple quantitative and qualitative analyses, seven data points (n) of skilled and unskilled workers were analyzed. Research findings indicated statistical significance between skilled and unskilled workers in the areas of analysis. Particularly, unskilled workers tended to have lower scores than the skilled workers, and mean scores across the seven data points also revealed that the satisfactory skill level across the seven data points was unattainable. Research findings also indicated that a sizeable percentage of companies that did not offer training specific to the seven data points emphasized the lack of investments in developmental training programs. Moreover, failure to acknowledge data points within quality policies or metrics across companiesintensified investment deficiency in human capital among corporations. The analysis results championed investing in training and investments in human capital. For the above reasons, it is paramount that companies invest in operator training initiatives; hence, promotion of more robust company obligations towards learning, and the advancement of the National Academy of Engineering Grand Challenges initiatives.

Degree

M.Sc.

Advisors

Dickey, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Economics|Education|Industrial engineering

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