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22 S T U F F • 2 0 1 7 >> CEA provides outsourced EHS so you can focus on your core strengths >> CEA's safety team helps reduce H&S risk on the shop floor and ultimately reduce workman's compensation insurance expense >> CEA provides EHS Gap Assessments to identify non-compliant activities, and help resolve in a cost effective manner >> CEA has a world class team of EHS professionals that can help upgrade your current EHS program >> Our EHS team routinely provide on-site or web-based EHS training programs Environmental Solutions. Unmatched Capabilities. Solutions Since 1985 www.cea-inc.com 127 Hartwell Street, Suite 2 West Boylston, MA 01583 For a no-cost consultation call 1.800.358.7960 ities pertinent in modern man- ufacturing, citing a shortage of skilled workers in the advanced manufacturing field. The popularity of vocational training is on the rise, which could be a good sign for the manufacturing industry. A 2016 study conducted by the Kitty and Michael Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy found a better marketing strategy is desired by school administrators in order to obtain funding for Career/Vocational Technical Education (CVTE), noting vocational school waiting lists remain large in many re- gions of the state. Researchers said the stigma CVTE programming is directed at academically challenged students, but found this sim- ply wasn't the case. The study detected a strong demand for vocational programs among high-performing students. "So successful is the Com- S monwealth's CVTE program- ming that, without further support, young adults planning to enter the occupations and trades for which it was original- ly intended could be squeezed out by the college- and profes- sions-bound," the study said. Shifting the narrative In order to bridge the gap between high school students, vocational students and employers, NAM has instituted a National Manufacturing Day in October. With 3.5 million jobs on the horizon, manufacturers are clamoring to shift the Gen-Z narrative. At present, Massachusetts has 10 events planned through- out the state in celebration of Manufacturing Day, which will include tours and educational seminars geared toward young people. It is NAM's hope by literally opening its doors to the next generation, it can paint a fresh picture of manufacturing for Gen-Z. Continued from page 21 Employees at Central Massachusetts companies (clockwise from lower left) Saint-Gobain in Worcester, Space Age Electronics in Sterling and Columbia Tech in Westborough operate in environments more reflective of what the industry has become.