“The world stands on the threshold of a major demographic transformation brought about by declining birthrates and rising life expectancies.”
What does this mean for the manufacturing workforce? The first ever Wichita Industry Research Exchange sought to address this question on May 6, 2015.
The event attracted around 70 attendees from area businesses, many of whom are members of the Wichita Manufacturer’s Association, our partner in promoting this event. Attendees from the Wichita Area Technical College, the Greater Wichita YMCA, Butler Community College, Textron Aviation, Great Plains Manufacturing, Wichita State University, Workforce Alliance, the Wichita Independent School District, and many more, came together to address this growing issue and to discuss possible solutions.
The event featured a presentation on the aging workforce in manufacturing by Dr. Masud Chand, Assistant Professor of International Business from the W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University. Dr. Chand began by talking about the global issue of an aging population and its global business implications.
“Together, these trends have contributed to a dramatic and unprecedented aging of populations worldwide. The aging of the world’s population will bring changes in the global economic environment, creating unique challenges and opportunities for businesses worldwide.”
Dr. Chand provided insights into aging’s effect on manufacturing and some specific examples of issues and solutions addressed by both local and international companies. He concluded his presentation by sharing possible implications for Kansas companies and providing some examples of global companies at the forefront of managing aging populations.
Following Dr. Chand’s presentation, CEDBR director Jeremy Hill shared some insight and local data on the issue of the aging workforce. The event wrapped up with a panel of business professionals and an audience Q&A period that addressed accompanying barriers and possible solutions to the issue of an aging workforce. The panel was made up of Dan Hamel, Human Resource Director at Metal-Fab, Inc., Geron Bird, Member at Hinkle Law Firm, LLC, and Angie Marlett, Branch Manager for Labor Ready.
This was the first of what will now be an annual event addressing important topics to the Wichita and Kansas business community. The 2016 event will address issues related to the environment, activity, in regards to entrepreneurship and is set to take place in April. For more information, visit www.wire.cedbr.org.
View the 2015 WIRE presentations.
