Among the many metalworking professionals who devote significant amounts of time to promoting growth of technical education, Ken Heins, president of KLH Industries, Inc. stands out, particularly for his work in promoting EDM apprenticeships. He is an active member of both the State of Wisconsin Apprenticeship Standards Advisory Board for the EDM apprenticeship program and the Tool and Die Advisory Board of Moraine Park Technical College in West Bend.
"EDM requires an above average skill level and the people who had the skills weren't getting credit for them," Ken said, explaining the reason behind his work for development of the Wisconsin EDM apprenticeship program that was accredited in 1997. The program assures employers that students completing the required courses have been exposed to a consistent training level. It also equips students with soft skills, such as how to make a presentation before a group and how to use spreadsheets. "Today's employees don't just come and punch-in and quietly do what they are told. Employees are participating directly in discussions with customers," he added.
Ken also participates in the Wisconsin Precision Metalworking Council, comprised of representatives from the Wisconsin chapter of the American Mold Builders Association, the Wisconsin chapter of the National Tooling and Machining Association, and the Tool, Die and Machining Association of Wisconsin. Representing 200 companies with over 5,000 employees, the council seeks to bring important technical education and industrial issues before the state legislature and the governor.
In addition, Heins has devoted a substantial chunk of his time as an active member of a steering committee for the building of an Applied Manufacturing Technology Center at Moraine Park. Approval of the technology center was the culmination of several years of work by the committee, including town hall meetings, marshalling the support of local politicians, and meeting with Governor Thompson.
When built, the technology center will serve not only current Moraine Park students, but will also be available to machine tool manufacturers for ongoing operator training programs. "We will be able to obtain upgrade training right here in Washington County. This is an employer's dream come true," Ken said, adding that the building will have a facility with stadium seating for 200 to 250 and equipment for video conferencing as well as on-site instruction.
Lifelong learning is an important issue in Ken's opinion. "We have a section of the workforce that got passed by in new technology. Our area has people who need training in Windows ™ before they can learn CNC operation," he explained. "No one today can rely on their current training to carry them 20 more years until they retire. The same thing is happening to the metal trades. We are changing the way we teach and how to deliver ongoing learning."
Founded in 1987, KLH Industries, Inc. has grown to include an employee team of 34 and a shop equipped with 21 wire EDM machines, 3 EDM drills, a machining center and water jet. "The next 5 years are going to be a greater challenge than the last 14," Ken believes. "The U.S. labor pool is not getting any bigger. If we want to grow, we will have to do so with the same size labor pool. We are going to have to change the way we do business and how we use our human resources."