Soft Skills: Modern Manufacturing Education

Aligning educational programs with manufacturing industry needs is more crucial than ever. Gerald Wyatt, CEO at Thinc College and Career Academy, an SME Prime school, emphasized this during our most recent tuXperience, highlighting the importance of soft skills including good communication and interpersonal skills, work ethic, time management, and teamwork in bridging the gap between education and the manufacturing industry. The session celebrated the successful partnership among the Georgia Department of Education, Thinc College and Career Academy, Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, and their partnership’s profound impact on workforce development.

Panelists included:

• Dr. Shelley Wooley: Director, Educational Programs, SME
• Dr. Barbara Wall: Deputy Superintendent, Georgia Department of Education
• Gerald Wyatt: CEO, Thinc College and Career Academy
• Marco Brown: Human Resources Manager, Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia

The Importance of Soft Skills at Thinc College and Career Academy

At Thinc College and Career Academy, soft skills are given equal importance with technical skills. This strategy is reflected in the curriculum, where 30% of a student's grade is based on soft skills. Every Tuesday, students engage in lessons focused on these skills, which are graded weekly to ensure they understand their importance.

Wyatt explained, “Students start the week with 100 points, which they can lose by the end of the week based on their performance in soft skills. A student with an A in technical skills can only achieve a C if they fail in soft skills.” This approach underscores the academy's commitment to preparing students not just for technical tasks, but for effective workplace communication, leadership, and critical thinking.

Industry Feedback and Implementation

Industry partners consistently highlight the importance of soft skills. "We can teach them about the widget," Wyatt quoted from industry feedback, "but we need them to have something of character." This sentiment drives the academy’s focus on nurturing a strong work ethic and effective communication among students.

Students who fail to meet soft skill requirements, especially in work-based learning programs, lose significant opportunities. Wyatt shared, “A student disqualified from work-based learning can miss out on earning $21 an hour because they didn’t meet the soft skills criteria.” This policy emphasizes the real-world consequences of neglecting soft skills and prepares students for future professional environments.

The Role of Soft Skills in Workforce Development

Brown from Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia reiterated the necessity of soft skills at all organizational levels. He mentioned, "Soft skills are probably the biggest need within any organization. We need individuals who are innovative and can thrive in a fast-paced environment, but above all, they must have strong soft skills."

Kia's apprenticeship program exemplifies this philosophy. Students in work-based learning programs gain hands-on experience while partnering with seasoned mentors. Successful students often transition into full-time roles at Kia, demonstrating the tangible benefits of soft skills in career development.

Transformative Partnerships

The collaboration between industry and education is not just beneficial; it's essential for developing a skilled workforce ready to meet the challenges of modern manufacturing. By building these bridges, students are well-prepared for their future careers, and industries gain the talented professionals they need to thrive.

For more details on this topic check out the presentation recap from tuX 2024! Over 100 workforce development manufacturing professionals gathered at Pittsburgh, PA's tuXperience Workforce Development conference. tuX promotes overall best practices in training and workforce development, encourages the adoption of advanced technologies, and furthers the success of the U.S. Manufacturing industry.

We are always available to discuss ways to develop your workforce's soft skills. Our team can design a training program that delivers improved quality and productivity, along with increased employee satisfaction and retention. Contact Tooling U-SME at 866.706.8665 to learn more.