DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE – “PARTNERSHIPS ARE THE KEY TO SVMA SUCCESS”
Dear SVMA Members & Friends,
As spring emerges and Covid 19 restrictions are reduced I am happy to announce that SVMA
partnerships are bearing fruit, supporting our mission, “ Leadership Support and Solutions for
Sacramento Valley Manufacturers…Now and in the Future
Workforce Development Partnerships
Last week, SVMA was notified by the CA Dept. of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) that the SVMA CNC
Machinist Apprenticeship Program has been approved by DAS. Everyone should know that this would
not have been possible without the leadership and determination of Mike Bell of Synbyo and Tim
Schaefer of MSC Tool. Mike and Tim spent many hours researching, writing the program standards, and
shepherding the application through the US Dept of Labor and DAS. Second, a huge thanks to the
Workforce Development Committee leadership – Herman Kaiser of Synbyo, Alex Muhs of TriTool, Sonia
Susac of Tecma and John Grover, Aerometals/Apprenticeship Committee Chairperson.
We also want to acknowledge the support of Charles Richards, DAS Apprenticeship Consultant and Roy
Kim, Deputy Director at the Sacramento Employment & Training Agency (SETA). SVMA was fortunate to
receive a SETA Regional Planning Initiative (RPI) Grant in 2020 which supported the development of the
program.
As a competency-based apprenticeship program, an apprentice does not need to enter at Level 1.
Rather, a preliminary assessment will determine the appropriate level. The apprenticeship program will
launch in the Summer of 2022. If you have a machinist who is interested in enrolling, please reach out to
Mike Bell or Dean Peckham.
Second, SVMA has partnered with Sierra College to offer a CNC setup/operator class this summer
between June 14 & July 18. The 6 week/90 hour class will be taught by Sierra College Adv Mfg Chair,
Franz Veitschegger.
On Wed, April 13, SVMA hosted an employers meeting with Franz & Amy Schulz, Sierra College, Dean of
Workforce Development to discuss the class & learning outcomes. At the conclusion of the meeting, 10
local manufacturers expressed an interest in enrolling at least 1 employee in the class. Sierra College
agreed to give priority seating to manufacturers interested in upskilling their workforce. But, the class
size is limited to 18 students.
If you have a need to upskill your workforce, this is a great opportunity at a nominal cost (under $200).
Please let Dean Peckham know ASAP if your company is interested in participating, while seats are
available.
Last, SVMA has partnered with the CA Mobility Center (CMC) to develop a manufacturing career
pathways program. CMC has a workforce development team that is partnering with local
community-based organizations (CBO’s) that serve women and the refugee community. SVMA and the
CMC are committed to increasing the number of women in manufacturing. CMC has partnered with the
Women’s Empowerment Center & Single Mom Strong to make presentations, host tours of local
manufacturers, introduce them to the pre-apprenticeship program at Charles A Jones and support job
placement.
Recent tours of local manufacturers have included Siemens Mobility, Insight Manufacturing, Ceratizit,
and Flight Light, all SVMA members.
Education Partnerships
SVMA continues to support the region’s educators as Covid 19 regulations have been lifted. SVMA
continued to focus on building relationships with and support for CTE educators throughout the region.
Following is a summary of these activities
SVMA Educator Emeritus, Steve Dicus helped organize 3 Train the Trainer sessions (Feb, March & April)
for educators at Folsom HS Advanced Mfg Lab. These sessions were led by Kevin Pharis of Selway, a
distributor of Haas CNC Machines, and Tim Paul of Autodesk, maker of the widely used Fusion 360
software. A huge thanks to Steve for his spirit of giving and volunteerism, while still running a
family-owned accounting business.
Second, SVMA is partnering with Roseville Joint Unified High School District to support their internship
program. Current SVMA member, Harris & Bruno, has 2 interns. If you are a South Placer manufacturer
and are interested in investing in your future workforce, please reach out to Ms. Terri Griffin, Roseville
JUHSD CTE Coordinator, Jeff Briggs , Courtney Camp, or Dean Peckham. Terri is actively recruiting for
Fall 2022 internship positions.
On March 7 SVMA members Siemens Mobility, Harris & Bruno and Garner
Products led a panel discussion hosted by Sierra College – K14 Manufacturing
Pathways to Employment. Joining the SVMA members on the panel were
representatives from TSI Semiconductor and M & M Machine. The event
focused on aligning area high school CTE programs with Sierra College to
support career pathways to employment for area students and alignment with
industry partners.
(Left) Sierra Mechatronics Instructor Roy Ingram and Dustin Godshall of Siemens discuss the Sierra College
Mechatronics Program. Sierra College has proven to be a valuable source of Siemens’ QC Technicians.
SVMA members participated in the 3/15 Folsom Cordova USD CTE advisory & the 3/28 Sierra College
Advisory meetings.
In March, SVMA members ACM Machining, Ceratizit, Insight Manufacturing & TriTool hosted a class of
nine seniors from the Cordova HS Engineering Program.. Cordova HS serves a lot of financially
challenged families, including numerous immigrant students. Many of the students are interested in
employment following graduation.
With the lifting of in-person gatherings at area schools, SVMA members have been able to participate in
recent CTE advisory meetings with the Folsom Cordova USD and Sierra College. Future planned
activities include the Cordova HS Engineering Advisory on 4/26, the Elk Grove Unified School District
College & Career Fair on 4/28, the Grant High School College & Career Fair on 4/28, 5/17 Mesa Verde HS
Business Academy students tour Siemens Mobility. and the El Dorado Joint Unified HS District CTE
Advisory in May. Please let Dean Peckham know if you would like to participate in any of these events
and inspire the next generation of manufacturing!
Last, SVMA is in conversation with Sierra College about developing manufacturing training programs for
learning disabled adults, addressing basic manufacturing roles such as equipment assembly,
equipment/facilities maintenance, wire harness assembly, CNC operator, grinder, packer, precision
measuring, or basic fabrication/machine operations. Glendale CC & College of the Canyons host a similar
program, known as “Uniquely Abled,” training high-functioning autistic adults as CNC operators.
Many of you are probably familiar with the successful workforce programs managed by Pride Industries,
hiring disabled adults for jobs such as supply chain fulfillment specialists. Here’s your opportunity to
make a difference in someone’s life, providing them with skills, employment, self-sufficiency and pride,
while helping the region’s manufacturers fill entry level positions that may be difficult to fill. Change and
education programs do not evolve overnight, but they do require the commitment of leaders like the
manufacturers in our region. If you are interested in learning more and want to participate in these
discussions with Sierra College please contact Jeff Briggs or Dean Peckham.
Membership
SVMA Membership/Sponsorship Committee updated its Strategic Plan for 2022 to reflect
current priorities & budget limitations. The group is focused on raising awareness, visibility and
programming for manufacturers that support their participation in SVMA’s workforce
development & education initiatives.
The SVMA Membership Committee has 3 mixers planned in the near future. Mark your
calendars now!”
● 6/9 5:30 pm Snowline Engineering Shingle Springs
● 7/14 5:00 pm Urban Roots Brewing Downtown Sacramento
● 8/18 5:00 pm Drake’s Brewing – The Barn West Sacramento
The Membership Committee will also be hosting monthly professional development events in 2022.
Here’s a summary of events for May through July
● May 3 Innovation in Hiring and Retaining Talent REGISTER HERE
● May 10 World Class Problem-Solving for Manufacturers Zoom Login
● June Workplace Automation
● July 14 Lean Manufacturing – Presented by MANEX
The Sacramento Region is fortunate to have many women in leadership positions in the region. Even
more amazing, there are over 380 women-owned manufacturing businesses in the Sacramento Region.
SVMA Membership Chairperson, Debra Griffin of MUN CPA is looking for other women in manufacturing
interested in establishing a local chapter of Women in Manufacturing.
SVMA STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH CA JONES REGIONAL MANUFACTURING TRAINING CENTER
On 2/2/2022 Angela Hatter, CAJ Site Administrator and I made a presentation to the Capital
Adult Education Regional Consortium (CAERC), highlighting the successes of the Regional
Manufacturing Training Center. CAERC provided funding for instruction delivery in 2021/2022,
which is critical to ensure the continuance of the program. At the time of the presentation, 60
students had completed the pre-apprenticeship program at Charles A Jones. Given the lack of
CTE programs in the region for adults, CAJ fills a unique void in the region, preparing adults for
entry-level manufacturing career pathways.
In Q1 SVMA and CAJ co-hosted the first manufacturing pre-apprenticeship program for English
language learners (IET). Four students successfully completed the class and two found
employment. An expanded cohort begins 4/17.
In Feb/March 2022 SVMA & CAJ leadership met with leadership from Sacramento City College
(SCC) to discuss integrating the CAJ advanced manufacturing program & HVAC with the SCC
Industrial Maintenance Mechanic and HVAC programs, allowing students to receive credit at
CAJ for classes at SCC.
On 3/29 SVMA and CAJ co-hosted a tour with leadership from the Sacramento Air Quality
Management District to discuss implementing a powder coating program at CAJ. Powder
coating is a widely-used application by area manufacturers, but there is no applicable trainng
program.
SVMA & CAJ leadership is developing a contract with Agee Fashion Institute to introduce an
education program for sewn products manufacturing. The goal is to align the sewn products
classes with the manufacturing pre-apprenticeship program. Classes should begin Summer
2022. This training would provide a direct pathway to employers such as ClerPrem,
Goodwin-Cole, JS Canvas Awnings.
Many members have expressed an interest in sending machinists to a QC Technician training program,
which could be hosted at Charles A Jones as an evening class. In order to launch a comprehensive
program capable of serving 15 students at once, CAJ needs to acquire $25,000 in hand tools. If you
would like to make a donation of tools and/or financial contribution to support the school, please let me
know. The CAJ instructor, Todd Frazee has developed a comprehensive list of the needed hand tools.
The highlight of the SVMA partnerships was the 4/9 Skilled Trades Fair at CAJ, co-hosted with the
Northstate Building Industry Association Foundation and Charles A Jones. Over 40 companies were
represented, including the CA Mobility Center and the Mobile Manufacturing Trailer, the Sac City College
Mechanical Electrical Technology (MET/HVAC) demonstration trailer, Balanced Body, Villara Building
Systems, Siemens Mobility, Milgard Windows and Precision Fluid Controls, and numerous construction
industry partners. With over 100 high school seniors and community residents attending, it felt like a
sign that the worst of the Covid 19 pandemic is behind us.
Afghan immigrants speaking with employer
Precision Fluid Controls team in action.
The next scheduled career fair at Charles A Jones will be June 3, coinciding with the end of the last
cohort of the manufacturing pre-apprenticeship program. If you would like to participate and show your
support for the CAJ graduates seeking employment, please let me know.
Conclusion – Looking Ahead!
SVMA has begun planning for October 2022 as Manufacturing Month, hosting a series of tours of local
manufacturers for area high school and community college manufacturing programs. 2020 and 2021
events were all virtual so members are energized about opening their doors to the future manufacturers
of the Sacramento Region. If you would like to host a tour of students from a local high school or
community college, please contact SVMA Education Co-Chairs, Jeff Briggs , Courtney Camp, or Dean
Peckham.
As you may recall, in March 2019, SVMA hosted its inaugural State of Manufacturing & Education
Breakfast. This event was canceled in 2020 just as the world was impacted by Covid 19 and did not
happen in 2021 due to social distancing. MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW! SVMA STATE OF
MANUFACTURING & EDUCATION – MARCH 2023.
In the meantime, do not hesitate to contact SVMA leadership, Kevin McGrew, SVMA President, Joe
Wernette, SVMA Vice-President/Secretary or Dean Peckham with your suggestions. We need to hear
from you!
And last, if you’re not following SVMA on social media, here are the links. Please like us, link to us,and
contribute!
All The Best!
Dean Peckham
Executive Director
