Making kids read books or do math problems does not inspire them to become engineers. However, if you give them permission to blow something up, they get really excited and invest all of their energies. Below is an article about an upcoming event that I dreamed up 8 years ago and several of past students have went onto get their engineering degrees and now work as engineers and technicians.

This year we are going to add smoke bombs to the pumpkins to see them sail and we are hurling Big Bird to see if he can fly on his own without public support.

To help fight the Maintenance Crisis locally, I support the Guilford County Workforce Development Board and they have been working with area employers, community colleges and other community leaders to build binders full of future technicians.

The secret of their success is the promotion of the program and then the screening of applicants. The instructors are used to having to teach anyone who signs up and many times they just don't the fundamental reading, writing and most importantly the math skills to succeed.

Since the "Zombie-land in the Maintenance Department?" was such a popular blog post, I expanded the topic into a conference session. The attendees at the Greater Philadelphia Facilities Management Show gave me rave reviews.

So if you can join me at the Capital Building & Facility Maintenance Show near DC, come as my guest. I guarantee that you will not have to endure death by powerpoint or be bored. This session will be provocative, entertaining, yet very practical and informative.

Register online at http://www.cb-fm.com/sessions.html

Session 5

Again I apologize for having to take blog posts to share what I do, but so many do not understand what I do or why I am fighting the maintenance crisis.

Every year, Hollywood rolls out another generation of new movies and TV shows with the same formula for more legal, medical, cop and spy dramas,and now with a mixture of crazy reality and talent shows meanwhile forgetting to showcase critical career paths that our nation's economy depends on.

Figured that you may enjoy and can share this article I helped develop for the Courier Tribune below. With all of the noise and other idle chatter out there, the real solutions to our problems often get lost. That is why we need to continue to beat the drums in the media to develop more skills and get prepared for the real jobs of the today and tomorrow.

Program seeks machinists, technicians

ASHEBORO — What jobs provide security, compensation and solid futures? What careers can rebuild the Triad region’s economic future?

Responding to announcement of a major closing, a city leader asked me for ideas to keep other companies from closing their operations. Below are my suggestions. Would love your feedback and ideas to help keep companies thriving around the country and not experience another Christmas season with thousands of more unemployed.

Reduce Energy Costs-

Forgive me for making this post a personal elevator speech, but since my family, friends, classmates and industry contacts have expressed confusion about what does a Maintenance Evangelist do, I figured that this may help clarify and unearth more supporters once more understand the efforts underway to advance our cause.

Just thought I would share with you the over 200+ events planned all across the country to help dispel negative images and stigmas our country has about manufacturing.

For more detailed information check http://www.mfgday.com/ Hope you too help spread the word that Manufacturing is key to US competitiveness and economic strength.

Name Type Date Location
Superior Joining Technologies, Inc. Facility Tour 10/5/2012
2:00pm-4:00pm Machesney Park, IL
Clark Metal Products Facility Tour 10/12/2012
8:30am-1:00pm Blairsville, PA

See manufacturing in action across America at http://www.mfgday.com/

October 5, 2012

Manufacturing Day has been designed to expand knowledge about and improve general public perception of manufacturing careers and manufacturing's value to the U.S. economy. Manufacturing Day is for students, parents, educators, media, customers, suppliers and the community at large. Visitors will learn about real career opportunities, training, and resources. In addition, manufacturers will learn about business improvement resources and services delivered through manufacturing extension partnerships.