Join us for a continental breakfast and networking!

Join us as we kick off the 2023 MFG Works Conference! Find out what’s happening throughout the day and how you can make the most of your time at the 2023 MFG Works Conference!

Ryan Jenkins, CSP is a Wall Street Journal Bestselling author, an internationally-recognized keynote speaker and virtual trainer. His latest book is Connectable: How Leaders Can Move Teams From Isolated to All In.

For a decade, he has helped organizations optimize generational dynamics, lessen worker loneliness and prepare for the future of work. Ryan’s top-ranked insights have been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, and CNBC. He is also co-founder of LessLonely.com, the #1 resource for reducing worker isolation and strengthening team connections.

Session A. 1: Your Future Workforce Awaits
It is never too early to start engaging with the younger generation to create awareness of manufacturing careers, build brand awareness of your organization, and to attract future talent for your company. Make time to learn the best practices in engaging with local schools and your future workforce!
Session A. 2: Changes in Workplace Environment
Our workplace has changed drastically over the last 3 years. Employees are stressed, overworked, and burnt out causing a lack of efficiency and productivity at work. Now more than ever, the workforce has new expectations on how they want to be lead, what they expect of employers, and when they want to be working. Leaders should be equipped with how to respond to the changing expectations of employees in today’s workplace.

Session B. 1: Hiring Best Practices
Talent has never been more difficult to find. In this new workforce market, doing things the way you have always done them might not bring in the right people for your organization and your needs. Join us to learn how to use creative and nontraditional approaches to finding and attracting the right talent!
Session B. 2: Employer Branding
What is your brand in your community and in your industry niche? What do you want to be known for? How do you best position to job seekers, existing workers, and customers the core of your strengths with a focus on your people? Learn from other manufacturers and branding experts about the importance of and ways to leverage your brand.

Session C. 1: Apprenticeships and Pre-Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are making a resurgence across the nation and across industry sectors, but do you understand the ways to implement and leverage these programs? Learn from local manufacturers and resource providers about the benefits of apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeship programs.

Session C. 2: Employee Experience and On-boarding Best Practices
What impression do job seekers and existing employees have when they walk in your front doors? How do you prepare individuals from day 1 to have a long-term, mutually beneficial, productive careers with your company? Help your employees feel valued from day one by learning the best practices for onboarding!

Hear from WQED during our lunch hour. They’ll be sharing information about their new workforce programs for adult job seekers.

Session D. 1: Expand the Talent Stream
We know that the untapped talent pool of recruiting talent can experience barriers to launching successful careers in manufacturing. Now more than ever, it’s important to engage with those individuals to give your organization another chance to grow. Learn from the session presenters about how to create a comprehensive approach to identifying and hiring talent transitioning out of incarceration, formerly homeless, new Americans, or those with disabilities.
DEIA
Description to Come
Session D. 2: Innovative Learning & Coaching Strategies
Training new leaders is imperative to the longevity of every organization. It’s important to provide employees with the opportunity to learn and grow within their company. Join us to determine the best practices to develop immersive and engaged leadership skills training for your organization and discuss effective program designs, facilitation and core leadership components that connects program goals to business results.
Program Runs 1 Hour

Session E. 1: Post-Secondary Education
Southwestern PA has a wealth of post-secondary resources to assist in building a future workforce or training your existing workers on the latest technologies. Hear the exciting updates and programs they’re going to be implementing in the upcoming years!
Session E. 2: New Training Approaches
Technology is constantly changing the way we live and work. While sometimes it can be difficult to keep up, it can also be key to how people consume content. Join us to learn how to use new technologies in your training and support.

As you finish your day at the MFG Works Conference, take a moment to reflect on all you learned and how to apply it to your organization.