Volkswagen of America, Inc’s Post

One of the many ironies in manufacturing is that for the most part, we know how to build technical skills in workforce. Holistic experiences, capstone projects, learning factories, hands-on with equipment lead the way. But SOFT SKILLS lag behind, some quite significantly. Why is this? And how do we solve it.? One thing we can do right away is expand INTERNSHIPS for students, so that experience first-hand how to act professionally. This is one topic discussed at the SMX Automotive Manufacturing conference this week! Want to discuss, give me a ring!

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That's a wrap! Just finished up today's webinar with Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT) and here are some of the top questions we got about how to create a successful internship program: 1. What are some of the ways your internship programs have evolved over time? At Westminster Tool for years we never had a formal program and instead searched for interns for specific projects with applicants of a specific skillset. But we found that we weren't building long-lasting, meaningful relationships from these opportunities. Today, we've changed our approach to focus on how WE can add value to the intern. We search for applicants from all different educational and skill backgrounds and focus on creating goals around their needs. As a result, we have a better chance of inspiring the next generation of manufacturers in our state, and the interns we work with are more likely to want to stay. 2. What are some lessons learned? What are some of the biggest mistakes you've made with interns? The biggest lesson learned is to stop siloing interns in a closed-off area of the business. Even when hiring an intern for super specific project or technical area, it's absolutely critical to expose them to other areas of the business and the rest of your team. Internships are all about professional exploration, not just about completing a project and adding value to the company. So it's important to give that intern a real opportunity to meet new people and explore other career paths. 3. What can small businesses do to get started with building an internship program for the first time? Take advantage of state resources! CT is home to so many different resources for finding applicants and funding programs. Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT)'s Internship Program not only gives you access to a whole database of regional applicants looking for manufacturing internships, but also offers wage reimbursement support to help offset those costs.

Proud to share that Dealer Marketing Magazine has featured JM Family's internship program in their latest article! Check out the article to learn more about how JM Family is investing in early talent in the automotive industry. #wearejmfamily #internshipprogram #automotiveindustry

Internship Journey: A year on, lessons and growth that endure. It's been a year, but I still recall the invaluable learning and lifetime experience i gained as an intern at Mercedes-Benz SS. I had the opportunity to interact with several Management heads, where I quickly realized that while I was diligent with my work, networking did not come naturally to me. Being inherently shy, I was reluctant to initiate conversations or make small talk, but I pushed myself to engage with individuals one by one, grasping their perspectives. Instead of dwelling on my weakness, I focused on polishing my strengths. At the end of my internship, I was the only intern offered an extended Internship. Working in different departments, I networked with senior management and even had the privilege of driving various Mercedes Benz vehicles from the A-class to the G-wagon. The lesson learned was clear: sometimes, it's good to double down on your strengths rather than worrying about your weaknesses. 29/December/2022, a whole year has passed since these experiences. Reflecting on my participation in the Summer Internship Program (SIP) Competition and sharing insights with judges and participants, I still remember the impact of Dr. Abhay Kinikar's encouraging words. His validation, emphasizing the importance of individuals like me for a company's growth, meant a lot, especially coming from an experienced faculty member. Though time has flown by, the lasting impact of these experiences on both my personal and professional growth remains evident. #gratitude #encouragement #internship #internshipjourney #internshipexperience

FBP is preparing for the future by preparing the next generation of the workforce. As part of the summer internship program our interns recently completed Lean Six Sigma White Belt training. #FBPInterns #FBPFutureDevelopment

I’m coming up on celebrating a year at Scott Clark Toyota and lately, I’ve had a chance to reflect on how much this job has changed the direction of my career. When I started here, I felt (as most of us have, I’m sure) like I was over my head. For my first assigned task, I had to vectorize a logo in Adobe Illustrator. Not only had I never used the software before, but I didn’t even know what “vectorizing” ANYTHING meant. The Scott Clark team was patient with me. They allowed me to learn the software in my way, and then expand from there. I was able to work on projects like scottclarkscale.com and learn additional tools and skills through encouragement from my team to continue honing my craft. Through becoming a mentor in the SCALE internship program I learned that one of the best ways to grow is by teaching others. Because as much as I worked with and taught the SCALE interns, they taught me so much more. So, to celebrate my time at Scott Clark, I have compiled a list of some of my favorite lessons from the past year: 💡 You can be an Adobe Illustrator person or an Adobe Photoshop person, but the best way to implement the software is by using them side by side (personal opinion). 🤝 Every hand you shake is a connection, and every meeting is the beginning of a partnership. 🌐 Innovation and adaptation can be learned (and taught!). 💫 Educators have it HARD. Becoming a mentor gave me a newfound appreciation for the passion that drives my past instructors. 👉 Soft skills, soft skills, soft skills! 😆 “You’re cooked” is not a compliment (new slang courtesy of the interns). 💥 Becoming a lifelong learner is SO important and keeps you relevant in your field. 📖 Business professionals & industry leaders want to share their knowledge! Something as simple as a LinkedIn message can go a long way. 💪 Learning new skills can be daunting, but mastering those skills is incredibly rewarding. 🎉 A supportive team makes all the difference. The past 12 months have marked a year of significant personal and professional growth for me, and I am so grateful for the role Scott Clark has played in that!

🚀It is my absolute passion to support the next generation and see them grow 🌱. Looking forward beeing Nikolaus Hofmann mentor & coach for the next 8 weeks 🥳. #nextgeneration #apprenticeship #passion4retail #retaillifestyle

On your marks, get set, WOW: this is what career entry at Kärcher looks like. Each WOW start is as unique as our range of opportunities for young talent. No matter whether it’s an internship, apprenticeship, dual study programme, thesis or student trainee position, we’re not interested in breaking records but in reaching our goal together. For us, “young” talent is not defined by age but by your degree of curiosity, level of enthusiasm and the WOW will to make the world a little cleaner with Kärcher. Wanna WOW with us? Are you ready to take the baton from Alexander Schmieg, Liv Dahle and Laura Kipf and start your very own Way of WOW at Kärcher? #WeAreTheKärchers #WannaWOWwithus #TogetherTowardsACleanWorld

As I approach week 4 in my internship, I have taken the time to briefly describe my experience so far! I have also included useful tips for those looking for internships! Brian Fugate J.B. Hunt Transport Department of Supply Chain Management at the University of Arkansas #supplychain #thisishowwwintern #waltonsupplychain