Invar needed skilled workers 6-,-fe"-' •f^- ~z~ ~ --i~~^ fl-f^1Partnership '• means progress Lor By Henry Bury The Intelligencer In today's global economy, business and industry must strive to remain current and successful against often over- whelming obstacles. Rather than being daunted by this challenge, the greater Quinte area has risen to the challenge by initiating creative community partnerships. One such success story is the recent alliance formed with Invar Manufacturing Ltd. of Batawa, Loyalist Training and Development Centre and Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC). The three partners developed a manufacturing operator pre- employment program for the Batawa firm. The program content was co- designed by Invar Manufactur- ing and Loyalist's development centre and funded by HRDC. Invar has been in operation since 1987 and is a division of the Linamar Group of compa- nies. It employs a highly-skilled workforce in the precision machining and manufacturing industry. The company historically has provided a wide array of com- plex components such as hydraulic cylinders, assemblies and systems for the defence, commercial and aircraft aero- space, transportation and nuclear energy markets. However, in the past three years its market has changed. Since 1996, a significant percent- age of Invar's manufacturing involved producing quality auto- motive parts for industry. The shift in markets prompt- ed Invar to seek more skilled workers. Frank Hasengratz, chief exec- utive officer of the Guelph-based parts supplier for Linamar Corp., acknowledged that there's a severe shortage of skilled trades or shop floor workers. "Canada is not training peo- ple properly (for manufacturing jobs)," he said. "We are not pre- pared for the future and (if we continue) we will not be able to compete. If you don't have man- ufacturing you don't have any- thing, there is nothing to sell, distribute or service." Invar has forecasted a growth in business over the next two or three years and this growth, said Hasengratz, has necessitated the hiring and training of additional manufacturing operators to meet increased production require- ments. The recent training program was held to prepare its workers in the areas of machine shop knowledge, quality assurance, safety and team work and com- munication. The initiative was made pos- sible through proactive mea- sures adopted by Human Resources Development Canada. The government agency provid- ed the funding for industry-spe- cific training for candidates that were eligible for Unemployment Insurance, offering employment to a group of individuals who displayed the initiative and drive to increase their skill base. "It was a good partnership," said HRDC's Liz Gregory. "All of the participants of the program are still there so it obviously worked well for them and I spoke with senior staff at Invar and they are pleased with the graduates of the program." Lori Green, a program partic- ipant, said the training program paid dividends for her. "So many times I thought I wouldn't be able to make it through because it was so differ- ent from my previous job, but the encouragement and support from the instructors and other participants was wonderful. I'm so glad I continued the training because I'm really enjoying my job here," said Green. Douglas Stack, another partic- ipant, was also positive about the training program. "It certainly increased my confidence level going into my new position," he said. "I feel it has increased my chances for advancement, making this a career and not just a job." Loyalist's training and devel- opment centre developed and delivered the training program which provided Invar with skilled employees. The centre's Chuck O'Malley said the college prides itself on being able to deliver customized training specific to each of its client's needs. "The positive response to this particular partnership led to a second and now a third phase of training with Loyalist Training and Development Centre," he noted. The third course will be a six- week session for up to 18 people. Those interested in participating should contact HRDC in Tren- ton. The program will run from May 11 to June 19 and include such topics as blueprint reading (mechanical), health and safety, team and communication skills, precision measurement, statisti- cal process control and geomet- ric dimensioning and toleranc- ing. "Nothing is more rewarding than a win-win conclusion for everyone involved," said O'Mal- ley. 1 -L̂