MEP Overview
Layoff Aversion: A Natural Partnership
for WIBs and MEP Centers
mark.troppe@nist.gov
301.975.5745
www.nist.gov/mep
mfg@nist.gov
(301)975-5020
MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP
Take Away from Today’s Presentation
1. MEP – who we are, what we do for Manufacturers
2. MEP, WIBs and Rapid Response:
• A partnership potential for delivering & documenting lay-off aversion
services and job retention
• How MEP centers are partnering with WIBs to identify and engage
potential risks early
3. Demonstrated outcomes
• Cited by GAO as a best practice
• Documented Impact Results
NIST MEP
MEP Overview
MISSION
“
“
To enhance the productivity and
technological performance of U.S.
Manufacturing.
ROLE
MEP’s state and regional centers facilitate and accelerate the transfer
of manufacturing technology in partnership with industry, universities
and educational institutions, state governments, and NIST and other
federal and research laboratories and agencies.
www.nist.gov/mep
mfg@nist.gov
(301)975-5020
3
MEP Overview
MEP Program in Short
Program Started in 1988
At least one center in all 50
states by 1996
National Network
MEP System Budget
$130 Million Federal Budget
with Cost Share
Requirements for Centers
Global Competitiveness
Program was created by the
1988 Omnibus Trade And
Competitive Act
60 Centers with over 550 Field Locations. System
wide, Non-Federal Staff is over 1,200. Contracting
over 3,200 third party service providers.
www.nist.gov/mep
mfg@nist.gov
Partnership Model
Federal, State
and Industry
Evolving Role
Program continues to evolve in
order to support manufacturers
during changing economic
situations.
(301)975-5020
4
MEP Overview
Partnering to Drive a National Program
Nearly 300,000
Manufacturers
Customers
Small and Medium Size
Manufacturers
Over 3,200 Affiliated
Service Providers
The MEP network focuses on
solving manufacturers’ biggest
challenges and identifying
opportunities for growth.
Over 1,200 Center Staff
559 Service
Locations
National
Network
MEP Program
Integration, Knowledge
Sharing, and Evaluation
www.nist.gov/mep
mfg@nist.gov
(301)975-5020
5
MEP Overview
National Network
www.nist.gov/mep
mfg@nist.gov
(301)975-5020
6
MEP Overview
How Centers work with Manufacturers
1
Initial
Contact
Group sessions, referral
2
3
4
Assessment
Identify
Negotiate
Informal walk-through,
detailed company
analysis
Find potential issues,
define proposed
project and approach
for solving it
Consult with company
and sign project
contract with fee paid
to center
After completion, project follow-up by center to
assure customer satisfaction and explore
further project opportunities
www.nist.gov/mep
5
Project
Execution
Center staff, partner
organization, and/or third
party consultants
Project impact data collected by contractor
for NIST approximately 6 months after
project completion
mfg@nist.gov
(301)975-5020
7
MEP Overview
What MEP Does
Work with small and medium size manufacturers to help
them create and retain jobs, increase profits and save
time and money
Focus on meeting manufacturer’s short term needs, but
in context of overall company strategy.
Reach over 30,000 manufacturing firms and complete
over 10,000 projects per year.
Provides companies with a consistent set of services
including:
Supply
Technology
Workforce
Chain
Acceleration
Development
Development
www.nist.gov/mep
Lean
Innovation
Process
and Growth
mfg@nist.gov
(301)975-5020
Sustainability
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MEP Overview
Client Impacts
www.nist.gov/mep
mfg@nist.gov
(301)975-5020
9
MEP Overview
MEP Program Initiatives & Services
Growth and Innovation
Sustainability
Supply Chain
Export
Technology Acceleration
Workforce
Make it in America
Continuous Improvement
MEP’s Program Initiatives & Services
are aimed to help manufacturers identify opportunities that will accelerate and strengthen their
growth and competitiveness in the global marketplace
www.nist.gov/mep
mfg@nist.gov
(301)975-5020
10
MEP Overview
Workforce
MEP is committed to supporting the U.S. Department
of Commerce’s Strategic Objective "to accelerate the
development of industry-led skills strategies that
result in a productive workforce for employers and
high-quality jobs for workers." MEP helps
manufacturers address their challenges at multiple
levels:
•
•
•
•
Training and Education of Workforce
Promoting organizational policies that reflect
progressive workforce and business practices
Assisting in cost reduction and sales growth to avert
layoffs.
Strategic Management Acquisition and Retention of
Talent
Workforce
Nationally Driven Efforts:
Strategic Management
Development
Manufacturing Day
Acquisition & Talent
Retention
www.nist.gov/mep
mfg@nist.gov
(301)975-5020
11
MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP
DOL – TEN #38-11
Commerce NIST/MEP Collaboration
NIST MEP
MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP
DOL TEGL 30-09 – LOA Definition and
Appropriate Use of WIA Funds
“Averting layoffs is one of the functions of the public workforce
investment system ...”
“Layoff Aversion Strategies: There are a wide variety of
approaches and strategies available to assist in this
endeavor, including early identification of at-risk
companies, assessing the needs of such companies,
and delivering services to address at-risk factors.”
NIST MEP
MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP
States With a Track Record
 Oklahoma
 Missouri
 California
 South Carolina
 Pennsylvania
 New York
 Michigan
 Indiana
 Rhode Island
 Iowa and Connecticut (demo grants)
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MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP
MEP – WIB Manufacturing Sector Initiatives 7-Step
Plan for Lay-off Aversion & Business Assistance
Services
1. Well defined program requirements and regional partnerships
2. Joint awareness and outreach to manufacturing sector
3. Discovery meetings utilizing Early Warning Checklist review for identification
of at-risk businesses
4. Custom business assessment to identify needed assistance for job retention
5. Gain customer commitment to job retention and/or creation & agree to
scope of services & implementation plan
6. Delivery of customized on-site lay-off aversion training & implementation
services
7. Verification of employment 90-day post-implementation
MEP surveys at 6-12 months for satisfaction, impact & jobs
NIST MEP
MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP
MEP – WIB Manufacturing Sector
Outreach to Manufacturers
• MEP Centers outreach to manufacturers continually
 Telemarketing, Referrals, Website Leads, Inbound & Outbound Marketing
• We Do NOT market Lay-off Aversion Services but are meeting vulnerable
but viable manufacturers during our outreach
• We do hold a Discovery Meeting with manufacturers to identify the current
state of their business and needs
• If at-risk factors are present and lay-off aversion/business assistance
funding is available we discuss potential LOA implementation
• Go Forward with request for implementation funds from WIB Partner
requires
 C Level commitment for retained jobs and support of implementation
 Documented at-risk employee list
 Approval of implementation plan
• If client is not viable and plans to lay-off they are referred to the WIB for
services
NIST MEP
MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP
Companies “At Risk”: Warning Signs
 Financial problems
 Quality problems
 Supply Chain issues (both
directions)
 Market issues
 Ownership problems
 Disinvestment
 Declining sales and/or
declining employment
 Mismanagement
 Duplicate capacity
 Management instability
 Business “climate” complaints
 Changes in land use
 Inadequate research and
development
 Changes in management
behavior
 Removal of equipment
 Cash crunch/irrational cutbacks
 Sequestration
 Decreased utility use
NIST MEP
MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP
Best Practice Highlighted – GAO Report 12-97
NIST MEP
MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP
MEP – WIB Partnerships
MANEX
CMTC
 Alameda County
 City of Anaheim WIB
 Fresno County WIB
 Kern, Inyo, Mono County WIB
 Los Angeles City WIB
 Los Angeles County WIB
(Goodwill/SASSFA/JVS)
 Orange County WIB
 Pacific Gateway WIB
 Riverside County WIB
 San Bernardino City WIB
 San Bernardino County WIB
 San Diego County
 Tulare County WIB
 Verdugo WIB (Burbank/Glendale)
NIST MEP
MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP
Case Study
 40-year old, family-owned aerospace parts supplier with 23
workers
 Company was continually losing business to other contractors,
many of whom utilized low-cost labor
 Company cut staff from 50 full-time workers to 25 part-time
workers due to loss of contracts
 CMTC implemented an aggressive strategy for AS9100
(aerospace) quality certification
 After achieving certification, the company started to win back
contracts. Workforce was boosted back up from 25 part-time
workers to 40 full-time workers
 Company is well-positioned to acquire more contracts
NIST MEP
MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP
Voice of the Customer
Erin Dyer, Quality Control Manager for Accurate Dial,
talks about a challenge which threatened their ability
to serve their customers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDHaBMr-7vA
MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP
RECAP: Take Away from Today’s Presentation
1. Well defined process developed jointly with WIB partners for delivering &
documenting lay-off aversion services and job retention
2. Process and forms are applicable regardless of the industry sector although
our partnership is focused on manufacturing sector retention
3. Process allows for customization to meet partner requirements
4. Demonstrated outcomes – cited by GAO as a best practice
5. Process supports a state-wide partnership
Don’t hesitate to call or e-mail with Questions!
mtroppe@nist.gov
301.975.5745
NIST MEP