SPI, SME offering online skills training program for plastics

The Society of the Plastics Industry Inc. (SPI) has partnered with workforce development agency Tooling U-SME to launch a new online training program aimed at closing the manufacturing skills gap in the plastics industry.

Administered by Tooling U-SME, PlasticsU will serve the plastics industry by providing formal online training tailored specifically for the industry’s challenges and needs.

“Our industry has some of the best and brightest workers, operating top-of-the-line equipment and technology,” said William Carteaux, president and CEO of Washington, DC-based SPI. “Unfortunately, many of the technological advancements made recently are being held back by a growing manufacturing skills gap, which is why SPI partnered with Tooling U-SME to launch PlasticsU. The plastics industry will not realize its full capacity for growth and production unless companies take an active approach to workforce development. PlasticsU offers these companies flexibility and convenience to make this process easy.”

As recently as 2013, Tooling U-SME said, a “vast majority” of North American manufacturing companies reported being challenged by a moderate shortage of qualified workers for skilled production. “Highly technical and specialized skills are required not only to meet increased demand, but to maintain growth into the future,” SPI added.

To learn more about PlasticsU and to sign up, visit http://www.plasticsindustry.org/plasticsu.