The world of workforce development is changing. The workforce is facing a number of significant pressures in the current economy, including:

• Forecasts of sustained high unemployment
• Fiscal constraints affecting traditional state and federal funding sources shifts in worker demographics
• The structure of employment opportunities
• The nature of work

The Future of Workforce Development Conference will tackle these issues through keynote addresses, panel presentations and facilitated discussions by national experts in the field. How these workforce changes affect low- and moderate-income communities, the long-term unemployed, and other hard to employ groups will be a particular focus.

This conference is sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

Location
Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City
1 Memorial Drive
Kansas City, MO 64198

Cost
The registration cost is $125. This fee includes a continental breakfast and lunch buffet for both days, and the Wednesday night reception.

Registration

The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities’ (A۰P۰L۰U) Commission on Innovation, Competitiveness, and Economic Prosperity (CICEP) will hold its summer meeting in Omaha, Nebraska from Monday, June 4 at noon continuing through noon on Wednesday, June 6. The event will be held at the Magnolia Hotel in downtown Omaha.

This year’s CICEP summer meeting will feature key stakeholders from outside the university community, including industry and government leaders. The emphasis will be on thinking strategically about the role of A۰P۰L۰U members in advancing the American economy, and planning CICEP efforts in support of that role.

University presidents, vice presidents for research and economic development, vice presidents for engagement, and directors with responsibility for research, economic development, technology transfer, entrepreneurship and related areas should plan to attend. Previous participation with CICEP is not necessary.  We welcome new ideas and voices!

Click here for more information.

The University of Tennessee’s Center for Industrial Services (UT CIS) was established in 1963 as the Tennessee Industrial Research and Advisory Service. Over the ensuing 49 years, its name has changed but its core purpose has remained the same – to help small companies maintain their competitiveness through access to technical assistance and education.

Paul Jennings is only the fourth Executive Director in UT CIS’ history. In a recent interview with teknovation.biz, Jennings and Beth Phillips, Economic Development Team Leader, outlined how UT CIS is “moving ahead on several fronts under the innovation umbrella.”

“We’ve been doing economic development and industry services for a long time,” Jennings said. “We and others are in the process of relearning and upgrading our skills to be more effective.”

As the home for the Tennessee Manufacturing Extension Partnership that is part of a national network, UT CIS is fully embracing new innovation products that are being rolled-out by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) which helps fund the nationwide network.

NIST’s Manufacturing Extension Program (MEP) is taking “significant steps to move from its traditional continuous improvement services to innovation services,” Jennings said. This has an impact on UT CIS since about 30 percent of its funding comes from NIST, and the federal agency monitors each recipient of its funds through a comprehensive set of metrics.

“The traditional MEP metrics will change to reflect this new emphasis on innovation,” Jennings said, adding that it will also affect the skills set needed within the UT CIS staff.

He identified one of the new national thrusts as “innovation engineering,” where UT CIS and other MEPs would help existing manufacturers through ideation, technology scouting, product development, and sales and marketing processes.

“It’s a strategic planning process for innovation,” focused on manufacturers that need to move into new product lines or improve existing products through new technology.

Jennings cited an example of a Tennessee client of UT CIS that has strong expertise in electronics, but is positioned in a dying market. Through the “innovation engineering” process, UT CIS will be able to help the company identify potential new markets and products, vet the ideas as to technical feasibility and market potential, find existing technologies that are most applicable to the new product areas, develop products and get them into the marketplace.

Jennings and Phillips see this new innovation emphasis as a service that can be of great value to organizations like the East Tennessee Regional Accelerator Coalition (ETRAC).

“We have strong relationships with many of them,” Phillips said. In addition to ETRAC that is coordinated by UT, she cited other regional initiatives led by East Tennessee State University’s Innovation Lab, Memphis BioWorks, Roane State Community College and a consortium of entities in lower Middle Tennessee.

“Each regional accelerator is unique,” so UT CIS plans to restructure its service regions to match those of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. This will enable the UT CIS team to be aligned geographically in each region to ensure maximum impact.

On a more East Tennessee regional basis, UT CIS is an active partner in the Advanced Composites Employment (ACE) Accelerator coordinated by Roane State. Through this alliance, Phillips said that UT CIS expects to play a significant innovation role, “connecting companies in the region to Oak Ridge National Laboratory and UT resources for advanced materials, carbon fiber and composites.”

Jennings added that UT CIS will use its portion of the funds available through the ACE Accelerator grant to “buy down some of the cost” so small manufacturers can utilize the expertise at ORNL and UT.

Phillips said the benefit of partnering with Roane State and others on the Accelerator is not just the immediate opportunity to help companies in the advanced materials area, but to also “develop a better understanding about the profile of companies that are the best candidates to draw on ORNL.”

They believe that ORNL will be a key innovation partner and that the new “innovation engineering” tool can be extremely helpful in their work with the ACE Accelerator.

The importance of partnerships with other organizations is also critical to UT CIS in its third innovation initiative – Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) assistance activities. These two programs are frequently used by small business to secure research and development funding to stimulate innovation and development in high technology areas.

UT CIS has focused on providing overview workshops and proposal training to increase the success rate of Tennessee proposals. Because funding is limited, Jennings and Phillips depend on organizations across the state to partner with UT CIS in hosting the workshops.

As Jennings positions UT CIS in the innovation assistance world, he is optimistic about the future.

“We’re positioned well,” he said. “We’re in complete alignment with NIST MEP, UT and the state.”

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree. Minimum three years of proven business development experience and business/facility management. The successful candidate will demonstrate supervisory skills, experience working with diverse populations, and strong communication/presentation skills in addition to experience in business finance, technology transfer/intellectual property and ability to work in a fast-paced deadline driven environment. Preferred Qualifications: Master’s degree. To learn more about diversity at ESU and in our community visit our web site at www.esu.edu/diversity. Please attach a separate statement that expresses your understanding of the value of diversity within higher education and describe how you have demonstrated your understanding in the workplace. To learn more about diversity at ESU and in our community visit our web site at www.esu.edu/diversity.

Annual Salary: $55,002.00, plus excellent benefits. Final selection will be based upon a successful interview and background check. All candidates must furnish proof of eligibility to work in the U.S. at the time of employment. Reimbursement for interview and relocation expenses are not available for this position.

Please clearly indicate in the cover letter, how you as an applicant meet the requirements of the position. Applicants, who do not clearly indicate how they meet the required qualifications, may be eliminated from consideration.

To apply online by April 6, 2012 please visit: www.esu.edu/esucareers. Only online applications accepted.  …. ]]> http://universityeda.org/job-board/commercialization/manager-esu-business-accelerator-program/feed/ 0 http://universityeda.org/blog/member-news/informs-award/ http://universityeda.org/blog/member-news/informs-award/#comments Wed, 21 Mar 2012 17:25:03 +0000 admin http://universityeda.org/?p=2110 Lehigh University‘s Industrial and Systems Engineering department in collaboration with the Enterprise Systems Center has been named a finalist for the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS) UPS George D. Smith Prize. This new award has been created in the spirit of strengthening ties between industry and the schools of higher education that graduate young practitioners of operations research. INFORMS awards the prize to an academic department or program for effective and innovative preparation of students to be good practitioners of operations research, management science, or analytics. For more details about the prize see the INFORMS website.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — In 2009, the Mentholatum Company faced challenges in meeting targeted production levels of its non-prescription pharmaceutical and health care products. Officials at the Orchard Park headquarters of the global health-and-wellness company needed to improve the capacity and overall effectiveness of the business in a way that would support their strategic plan. With the help of the University at Buffalo’s TCIE, which provides the business community access to UB’s engineering resources, Mentholatum’s leadership decided to give the Lean methodology a try; the continuous improvement methodology maximizes customer value while minimizing waste.

Since implementing a Lean initiative with TCIE’s guidance, changes and improvements in business processes have produced the following advancements at Mentholatum:

• Changeover time for a manufacturing process involving a tube filler was cut in half and its throughput increased by 100 percent, with no capital expenses involved.
• Production delays, travel distance and time, and direct labor costs decreased in the warehouse staging area.
• An approval process that used to take months to complete now finishes within days or even hours.
• Lower inventory levels can be maintained with quicker changeover and greater performance reliability, resulting in lower costs.

In addition, overall productivity has increased, including a jump of 30 percent for the lip balm filling manufacturing line alone. Mentholatum leaders say TCIE’s training and expert assistance over the last two-and-a-half years is just the start of their “Lean journey,” which has had a positive impact on employee culture. Combined with the support of upper management, a culture of continuous improvement and Lean principles has emerged at Mentholatum. “When they see things turn around, employees are re-energized and they’re connected,” said Harold Pearson, second-shift plant superintendent. “The teamwork is there, and so is a sense of ownership.”

The pilot project, which sparked the company’s pursuit of continuous improvement, was an activity called Value Stream Mapping. The activity involved analyzing steps of the company’s process for approving new products, followed by project team members generating ideas for improvement. Eight employees from different departments were chosen to be Mentholatum’s internal team of Lean practitioners. They completed training and undertook projects as part of TCIE’s Certified Lean Professional program. The process allowed the company to identify areas that could be streamlined, spawning a series of enhancements.

In 2010, the company brought in TCIE’s Executive-on-Loan program to focus on strategic initiatives. The TCIE Lean expert spends time every month, onsite, integrating Lean tools to help management reach its goals, whether it is boosting operational efficiencies or reducing costs. Kevin Aylsworth, director of engineering and maintenance at the company, noted that the Executive-on-Loan’s flexibility meets scheduling needs of a three-shift operation. “Working with TCIE is very easy. It’s been a nice partnership. TCIE’s schedule is very accommodating,” he said. They’re here when we need them. They really have a boots-on-the-ground approach. The Executive-on-Loan program is available to companies for other improvement methodologies as well, including Six Sigma and ISO (International Organization for Standardization).

At Mentholatum, measures to assess performance are being refined and identified under the executive-on-loan’s guidance. It’s an important activity according to Aylsworth, because “without metrics, you are not going to know what you have to do. We are using metrics to measure quantifiable progress and sustain our achievements.” Dedicated work teams are now a staple for the production lines that represent the majority of Mentholatum’s business.

The practice hinges on creating a core group of experts for a work line. “It makes it a more efficient operation,” said John DeJac, production manager, noting that early skepticism among employees reversed once benefits started surfacing. “We have better troubleshooting with dedicated work teams.” The Lean methodology is increasing communication with the implementation of regular team meetings. Thanks to the process called 5S that efficiently organizes work spaces, production tools are labeled and have their proper place, eliminating time once wasted searching for items. “People are thinking about work with a Lean mentality,” Aylsworth said. “Planning involves elimination of waste and designing items with the end in sight.”

A program of the UB School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, TCIE is Western New York’s bridge to excellence by providing a dynamic link between UB’s expert resources and the region’s business community. TCIE’s core focus on operational excellence drives continuous improvement, and its engineering solutions ignite innovation and technological advancement.

For more information on how TCIE can assist Western New York businesses, go to UB TCIE or call 716-645-8800. The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, a flagship institution in the State University of New York system and its largest and most comprehensive campus. UB’s more than 28,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.

In Photo: John DeJac, Karen Ovitt, Dave Kiefer, Staci Farinacci and Goran Jekic of Mentholatum’s Liquid Line Team

Develops and leads initiatives regarding the attraction, retention, and expansion of private commercial entities to and within the Greater Phoenix market to ensure achievement of established goals, initiatives and objectives consistent with the ASU SkySong strategic program.

Works closely with key community stakeholders to facilitate, identify, and communicate the contribution of the University to economic development.

Supports connections with assigned economic development, entrepreneurial and technology organizations and business associations.

Provides advisory services to partnering groups and explores collaborative opportunities to enhance linkages of selected value chain and its actors.

Interacts with government entities and stimulates public policy modifications that can enhance Arizona’s business and economic climate.

Supports ASU’s participation in local and national conferences, trade shows and/or business/economic events.

Utilizes ASU’s intellectual capacity, data and research products to market ASU SkySong and Greater Phoenix, as well as to provide strategic information to company executives and economic decision-makers.

Serves as ASU’s liaison to specific, assigned economic development, entrepreneurial and technology organizations and business associations by sitting on governing boards, advisory boards and task forces.

Coordinates economic affairs messages with other OKED units to ensure consistent communications to faculty, staff and Arizona constituencies.

Participates in the long-range planning, development of marketing strategies, and recommendation of goals for business attraction, retention, and assistance efforts.

Coordinates with various businesses, agencies, community organizations, and University departments to conduct presentations and site tours for the purpose of promoting the greater Phoenix metropolitan area.

DAYS AND SCHEDULE: Monday-Friday 8:00AM-5:00PM Rate of Pay: 59,500-$63,000 per year; DOE

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in a business related discipline or technology-related field AND four (4) years of related experience specifically in economic development, marketing and industrial relations, including one (1) year of supervisory/management; OR Any equivalent combination of education and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.

Desired Qualifications: Demonstrated knowledge of technology-based economic development and global business practices.

Experience in: skilled strategic planning; analyzing; establishing priorities; maintaining and establishing effective working relationships and networking. Ability to interact with governmental entities. Evidence of effective verbal and written communication skills.

Department Statement/Gen Info: Arizona State University’s SkySong exists to make an economic impact in the local, state and international markets by driving economic development and global enterprise. ASU SkySong helps grow the economy by launching and accelerating new companies and promoting use inspired research, in collaboration with local communities, state government, and business partners. ASU SkySong, and the dozens of emerging innovation driven companies located there, are dedicated to positively impacting the economies of our state and the country for years to come. The breadth of these objectives is just one way that ASU is different from other U.S. universities that have a strong economic development focus.

Background Check Statement: ASU conducts pre-employment screening for all positions which includes a criminal background check, verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications.

Standard Statement: Arizona State University is a new model for American higher education, an unprecedented combination of academic excellence, entrepreneurial energy and broad access. This New American University is a single, unified institution comprising four differentiated campuses positively impacting the economic, social, cultural and environmental health of the communities it serves. Its research is inspired by real world application blurring the boundaries that traditionally separate academic disciplines. ASU serves more than 70,000 students in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, the nation’s fifth largest city. ASU champions intellectual and cultural diversity, and welcomes students from all fifty states and more than one hundred nations across the globe. Arizona State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.

Close Date: March 9, 2012

Instructions to Apply: Application deadline is 11:59pm Arizona time on the day indicated. REQUESTED MATERIAL MUST BE IN ONE ATTACHMENT. Complete the required information and attach a single Word or PDF document, which includes: 1. Cover letter 2. Resume 3. Three professional references (names, addresses and phone numbers) Please include all employment information in month/year format (e.g., 6/88 to 8/94), job title, job duties and name of employer for each position. Resume should clearly illustrate how prior knowledge and experience meets the Minimum and Desired qualifications of this position. Only electronic applications are accepted for this position. If you need assistance applying for this job, please contact our customer service center at 855-278-5081. ASU does not pay candidates for travel expenses associated with interviewing, unless otherwise indicated by the department at the time of call for interview. To apply please go to www.asu.edu/asujobs/ click “Staff” see Job Id# 27974 …. ]]> http://universityeda.org/job-board/economic-development/economic-development-project-manager/feed/ 0 http://universityeda.org/blog/fy-2012-university-center-economic-development-program-competition/ http://universityeda.org/blog/fy-2012-university-center-economic-development-program-competition/#comments Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:19:58 +0000 admin http://universityeda.org/?p=1955 The purpose of EDA’s University Center Economic Development Program is to assist institutions of higher education and consortia of institutions of higher education in establishing and operating University Centers specifically focused on leveraging university assets to build regional economic ecosystems that support high-growth entrepreneurship. Since FY 2004, EDA has administered the University Center program as a competitive multi-year program. EDA holds University Center program competitions in two of its six regional offices on a non-annual basis. In FY 2012, EDA is holding the competition in its Atlanta and Seattle Regional Offices. The Atlanta Regional Office serves: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The Seattle Regional Office serves: Alaska, Arizona, American Samoa, California, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Republic of Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nevada, Northern Mariana Islands, Oregon, Republic of Palau, and Washington.EDA encourages the submission of applications that will create and nurture regional economic ecosystems through applied research and development, technology commercialization, and targeted activities that cultivate entrepreneurship. University Center applicants should integrate their programs across their institutions in order to leverage multiple programs that support economic development. Applicants should also demonstrate a record of success in fostering higher-skill, higher-wage job creation, as well as the ability to engage the private sector and leverage other sources of financial support.

More information on Grants.gov