We produced $2.2 billion on machine tools in 2003. I'm sure in war time we could boost that number. Aren't you?
I work in the machine tool industry. The problem is lack of skilled machinist. As manufacturing jobs are offshored and manufacturing jobs decrease each year in this country the result is people are no longer interested in entering the skilled machine trades. It takes on average, after trade school, 15 years for the average person to become what I call a competant and skilled machinist. A person can watch a video or read a book 500 times on doing a procedure but until it is actually done hands on, correctly, it does not mean didly squat.
CNC machines can and have helped production requirements but you still need the competant machinist to design the initial part or tooling and set up the jigs and fixtures(many times more complicated than the part itself)
Yes, we could boost production if a major war broke out today but at my place of employment the average machinist is probably in his late 50's or early 60's. Not good.
We are 10 machinist down at this point but they are not to be found.
What do you suggest?
Electric Boats Plans 1,000 Job CutsWorks like clockwork everytime.
Associated Press Newswires 12/05/2006HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) -- Submarine builder Electric Boat will likely cut about 1,000 jobs, or about 10.5 percent of its work force, next year due to a decline in work, company President John Casey said Tuesday.
The company hopes to make the reductions primarily through attrition and furloughs that would allow employees to maintain their benefits while out of work temporarily.
"If we can do that through attrition, I'll feel good about that," Casey said at the company's annual legislative breakfast. "Obviously I'd like to be hiring 1,000 people."
Last year, Casey warned that the company could cut as many as 2,400 jobs in 2006, but the company ended up only cutting 1,442 through attrition and layoffs.
The company, a division of General Dynamics Corp., now has 9,500 employees and expects to be down to 8,500 by the end of next year.
General Dynamics shares rose 33 cents to $75.63 in morning trading on the New York Stock Exchange.