Alloy Engineering Co. President to Serve on Manufacturing Sector Partnership Leadership Team

Employer-led leadership team to develop strategies for workforce challenges in Cuyahoga County

The Greater Cleveland Partnership and MAGNET, serving as co-intermediaries of the Workforce Connect Manufacturing Sector Partnership, announced they have successfully recruited and convened an employer-led leadership team of 14 diverse manufacturing executives. Alloy Engineering Co. President Lee Watson will serve on the team to develop employer-driven strategies to address manufacturing workforce challenges in Cuyahoga County.

Watson joins executives from all areas of manufacturing, including individuals from Alloy Bellows & Precision Welding, E.C. Kitzel, Elsons International, Enprotech, Exact Tool & Die, Jergens, Lefco Worthington, Lincoln Electric, Nordson, Oatey, Swagelok, Talan Products and Zin Technologies.

“Ultimately our goal is to connect with job seekers and develop financially rewarding careers paths that position Cuyahoga County as a manufacturing education capital and a growth engine,” said Watson.

Since the initiative kicked-off in February of 2019, the manufacturing leaders set a vision and selected three key areas where employers can significantly impact the talent gaps in Northeast Ohio. The three initial strategies that the manufacturing leaders have initially selected to move swiftly toward this vision are:

(1) Partner with education and training providers to fill key manufacturing training programs to 100% utilization.

(2) Implement innovative on-ramps to career paths in manufacturing.

(3) Consolidate a “Voice of Northeast Ohio Manufacturing” for advocacy of key policies to enable our current and potential workforce members.

The planning sessions have led to several unique ideas to drive learning and collaboration. The sector leaders plan to pursue cross-sector partnerships with hospitality, fast food, and/or distribution companies. There are also plans to connect with high-potential populations such as immigrants, disabled individuals and veterans.

The sector partnership leaders are actively looking to the business community to recruit leaders in two functions. One, specific to the cross-sector partnership, owners or CEOs of hospitality, fast food or food prep, or distribution businesses that are interested in developing truly mutually-beneficial partnerships with manufacturing companies that will drive recruitment, retention, and visibility in the community for both sides of the partnership. And two, specific to the manufacturing industry and those who serve manufacturers, there is an opportunity to get involved on the action teams that will be actively driving results within the three strategies.

Anyone interested in getting involved is encouraged to go to www.manufacturingsuccess.org/sectorpartnership to learn more or get in contact.

The Workforce Connect Manufacturing Sector Partnership will host a convening at the end of the summer to further engage manufacturing leaders and members of Northeast Ohio’s workforce development ecosystem. For more information, please visit www.manufacturingsuccess.org/sectorpartnership