Orthopedic Industry, Educators, OrthoWorx Partner to Address Workforce Needs

September 2011: OrthoWorx e-Newsletter

More than half (52 percent) of U.S. employers are challenged with filling “mission critical” openings in their companies, according to the ManpowerGroup’s Talent Shortage Survey published May 2011. “The number of employers struggling to fill positions is at an all-time high despite an unemployment rate that has diminished only marginally during the last year,” states the survey. One of the reasons cited includes a “lack of the technical competencies or ‘hard’ skills needed for the job.”

This holds true for the orthopedic industry as well. The OrthoWorx Advanced Manufacturing Committee plans to help address that. The committee is helping to identify and resolve gaps in talent and workforce needs of the evolving orthopedic industry. The committee, a sub-group of the OrthoWorx Talent and Workforce Development Initiative, plans to achieve this through collaborative focus among members and the use of research.

The committee includes key leaders from the orthopedic industry (original equipment manufacturers or OEMs and also suppliers) as well as Ivy Tech and OrthoWorx representatives. “We have strong committee composition, including medical device manufacturing leaders responsible for hiring and managing industry employees. Collaboration among these individuals is helping to form a program based upon industry needs,” says Tim Meyer, Chair, OrthoWorx Advanced Manufacturing Committee. “We are focused on providing workforce development options aligned with the needs for Warsaw and the region,” adds Meyer.

Brad Bishop, Executive Director, OrthoWorx, comments, “Like many industries, orthopedic manufacturing requires higher levels of education and training than in the past. The Warsaw region is surely one of the few places in the world where high school students can earn college credit in orthopedic manufacturing. But that preparation is not enough. Increasing global regulations have added requirements. In addition to understanding how to operate complex equipment to produce highly sophisticated implant products, workers must be well versed in the quality regulations governing the manufacture and marketing of these products. “

“That’s why OrthoWorx is working with Ivy Tech Community College to ensure industry needs are well understood by those creating curricula and teaching classes in advanced manufacturing,” states Bishop. The Advanced Manufacturing Committee has made great progress.

“During this past year, we’ve been assessing the Ivy Tech advanced manufacturing offerings. We recognize there is a gap in talent and workforce available, the advanced education opportunities offered and the industry’s needs,” states Meyer. This is supported by a study earlier this year commissioned by OrthoWorx Talent and Workforce Development Initiative. The study cites multiple areas for improvement.

OrthoWorx commissioned an Ivy Tech Graduate Survey to identify student-perceived gaps in what is taught and what they feel is needed on the job after attending the college. Results are under consideration of the Advanced Manufacturing Committee. Findings will be incorporated into the program. “Part of the new offerings includes an orthopedic-specific advanced manufacturing training certificate. It is thought to be the only one of its kind. The program will be announced soon, offering area residents a new option in their career preparation, one designed to address an ongoing need in an industry that is crucial to the Warsaw area’s overall economy,” states Bishop.

This manner of focused, collaborative efforts of multiple stakeholders is unique to the Warsaw area. “We have found nothing like this elsewhere, and this model will be applied as a best practice at other regions within the Ivy Tech system,” states Jean Perrin, Executive Director, Ivy Tech North Central and Advanced Manufacturing Committee member. Ivy Tech plans to roll out the new curriculum in early 2012 at the Orthopedic and Advanced Manufacturing Training Center (OAMTC) in Warsaw, Ind.