Training and learning events enhance performance, innovation, engagement and motivation. Our publicly scheduled events have been designed to boost you or your teams’ skills for a variety of manufacturing-focused opportunities.
Are you looking for specific solutions and tools or would you like to bring VMEC into your company for a service or project tailored for your team or entire company? VMEC works directly with organizations to develop capability in systems and people and to collaborate on events for the manufacturing community. Contact Usto bring existing, tailored or new training to you.
Tooling U-SME
With nearly 600 online classes, virtual labs, instructor-led training, certifications, apprenticeships, consulting and more, Tooling U-SME works with thousands of company industry leaders, including more than half of all Fortune 500® manufacturers, 1,000+ educational institutions across the country and more than half of the states in our MEP National Network.
Manufacturers Are Able To:
Build a more capable, adaptable workforce with 24/7 flexibility
Close and add to targeted, foundational knowledge and skill gaps in real time
Free up your internal experienced, value creating, in-demand technical experts
Inspire individual, professional growth in a safe, self-paced, on-line environment
Technology and the Human Touch using Tooling U-SME and VMEC Not only does Tooling U-SME deliver needed content, it delivers the latest technology. Interactive online classes increase engagement and knowledge retention and a mobile app provides the ability to learn anytime, anywhere.
“Tooling U-SME has been an integral part of The Husky Machinist Academy. It supplemented our curriculum with detailed, well-paced classes on topics like grinding, G code, and tool offsets, and reinforced the students’ classroom learning. A bonus was teaching “time management” and “work prioritization skills” to the apprentices. It fits in nicely to the program and we would like to incorporate it into future versions of The Husky Machinist Academy.”
- Devon McGarry, Campus Recruiter/Talent Marketing Specialist, Husky Technologies™
Tune into the October 17, 2024 "Workforce and Training Solutions for the Manufacturing Industry" webinar recording led by Jacky Larson, Tooling U-SME Senior Workforce Education Strategist, and Carla Wuthrich, VMEC Director of Field Operations/ Professional Manufacturing & Business Growth Advisor. The hour-long session covered online manufacturing programs available through Tooling U-SME and VMEC such as Machining, Industrial Maintenance/Mechatronics, Smart Manufacturing and more. These readily available programs are aligned to industry certifications and the most pressing needs of small and medium-sized manufacturers. Contact Carla for further information so you may begin to benefit from the vast selection of valuable training modules!
Tooling U-SME and VMEC work together with you to identify the appropriate learning outcomes, and quickly customize paths and offerings to make the optimum impact for the company and the individuals. We add value to your training program by offering a blended and adaptive solution, providing input and follow-up to the selection of learning options, hands-on support and integration as needed. We excel in supporting adoption of new learning in your processes to ensure you get the maximum value from your training investment.
Click on the following topics to view ways we can help your organization in furthering your training needs and capabilities:
Contact Carla Wuthrich, VMEC Director of Field Operations and People Development Lead, to review the Tooling U-SME curriculum and find out how we can help you to support your people and your company results through these cutting edge programs.
Food Safety Certification and Training Programs
VMEC is pleased to announce that we have partnered with highly accredited and acclaimed food safety experts in their respective fields to offer our VT manufacturers food safety certifications and training programs. As someone whose livelihood depends on keeping Vermonters and others around our country and possibly international populations with the highest quality of food and beverage the Green Mtn. State has to offer, we bring to you several opportunities to engage in programs to further develop your company’s success as it relates to food safety.
Cornell Dairy Foods Extension, the University of Idaho and Registrar Corp. are offering discounted programs in the form of certificates and CEUs (Continuing Education Units), virtual and in-person options ranging from a few hours to single day to multi-day courses.
The topic offerings just to name a few are: HACCP accredited courses, Food Safety Planning, Business Planning, FSMA Preventive Controls, Good Manufacturing Practices for Food, SQF Quality Management Systems, Managing Performance, Marketing, Cleaning and Sanitation, Environmental Hazards. There are many more valuable sessions that are geared to specific industries and topics.
Please visit the links below to sign up for a course or courses that suit the needs of you and your company as they relate to food safety. They fill fast so if you see something that interests you, please register at your earliest convenience. Each organization’s registration link is provided below and payment will be through their websites.
Cornell Dairy Foods Extension - To obtain the in-state (Vermont) discounted rate, please add “/VMEC” to your company name when registering and choose the in-state rate to be eligible for that level pricing; this applies for all Vermont food/ beverage producers. Questions? Contact Louise M. Felker, Program Coordinator, Cornell Dairy Foods Extension, [email protected]
Boise State - Idaho - Tech Help - To obtain a 10% discount off the final price of any of their events, insert coupon code “VMEC10” when prompted.Questions? Contact Dr. Janna Hamlett, Asst. Professor & Food Processing Specialist, Tech Help, [email protected]
Registrar Corp. - To obtain a 25% discount off the final price of online training and downloadable templates, please contact Louis Prue, VMEC Business Advisor, or Robynn Albert, VMEC Marketing and Training Manager, and one of them will provide a promo code to be used during the check out process. View the complete list of courses which contain links and short descriptions for VMEC-approved training opportunities here. Questions? Contact Betsy Hsiao, Director of Food Safety Online Training, Registrar Corp., [email protected]
December 5, 2024
Lean 101 Food Production Fundamentals with B-TARTS
Do North Coworking, 930 Broad St., Lyndonville, VT • 8:00am - 3:00pm • $350 pp
VMEC is pleased to announce our newest training offering to Vermont manufacturers who have their focus in the food manufacturing operations area. Whether you grow, bake, mix, package, retail, wholesale or warehouse “it”, Lean 101 Food Production Fundamentals with B-TARTS is for you!
Taking the roots from our standard and popular Lean 101 Fundamentals learning opportunity, we’ll focus on aspects such as Value Stream Mapping - Current and Future States, 8 Wastes, Basic Lean Tools, Problem Solving and Continuous Improvement, Workplace Organization and Visual Controls. And then we’ll take it one step further - we’ve customized this offering to what’s in the best interest of VT food producers to help you with your workflow challenges, eliminating waste in your processes and systems and so much more.
One definition of Lean is “a systematic approach to identifying and eliminating waste (non-value added activities) through continuous improvement by flowing the product at the pull of the customer in pursuit of perfection.” Whether it’s scheduling, safety concerns, supply chain issues, plant or cell layout or warehousing, let us help you find solutions to your food production challenges.
We’ll show you how to make the most of your B-TARTS (we can’t use the trademarked name of those yummy toaster treats for the all-American on-the-go breakfast, so we’ve dubbed our very own Breakfast Treats and shortened the name!) or whatever your product or service offering might be. There are so many ways we can help you streamline your workflow, regardless of what size your company is, where you’re located, how many employees you have, etc. We specialize in making improvements to all operations, small or large, that will impact your bottom line in the black.
This day-long session’s agenda will consist of a mix of presentation and three hands-on role playing simulations where all attendees will take on an active role in a chaotic kitchen environment producing B-TARTS - mixing, baking, cooling, frosting, packaging and labeling and lastly, seeing the treats out the door to be shipped. Each simulation will show improvements from the previous round where at the end of the day, the B-TARTS factory will be one you’ll want to mirror with your own real live company!
Questions? Contact Louis Prue, VMEC Professional Manufacturing & Business Growth Advisor.
Intro to CONNEX VT and the Supply Chain Optimization and Intelligence Network (SCOIN)
Zoom meeting • 2:00pm - 3:00pm • Free
Launched last summer, the Supply Chain Optimization and Intelligence Network (SCOIN) expands the MEP National Network’s scope from working primarily with individual companies to taking a more comprehensive approach to manufacturing supply chains. The initiative will help establish new MEP service offerings to provide manufacturers with what they need to improve existing supply chain networks and fill gaps in the supply chain. VMEC is the official representative of the MEP National Network in Vermont.
One key SCOIN service, CONNEX™ Vermont, is the Green Mountain State’s answer to your supply chain solution. Whether you’re a buyer or seller, this is the one-stop, secure, on-line platform that connects Vermont’s small manufacturers and suppliers in a single, searchable supply chain solution.
Curious how to set up your CONNEX™ Vermont account? Have an account but want to learn more? And what about all the benefits of SCOIN, such as scaling up your supplier scouting services, which helps organizations source domestic products and expand their capabilities as well as enhancing resilience and reducing supply chain vulnerabilities for manufacturers?
This hour-long introductory session is just what you need to get you on the road to supply chain success; we’ll walk you through the benefits of joining Vermont’s supply chain network whether your focus is local or national.
Who Should Attend? Anyone and everyone interested in learning how to solve their company’s supply chain challenges. There is no cost to Vermont manufacturers to be part of eitherCONNEX™ Vermont or SCOIN.
Mark O'Hearn, VMEC Business Growth Advisor - Supply Chain, will present this session. If this date and time do not work for you, feel free to view other offerings of the same topic being offered throughout 2024 or reach out to Mark directly to set up your own one-on-one session.
BETA Technology, South Burlington (address/ building to be supplied at a later date) and Virtual • 8:30am - 12:00pm • $595 pp
VT ASQ and VMEC are pleased to present the 2024/2025 Certified Quality Inspector (CQI) - Certification Exam Preparation Course.The Certified Quality Inspector is qualified in the use of proven techniques included in the CQI body of knowledge. Under professional direction for quality engineers and managers, the quality inspector evaluates hardware documentation, performs laboratory procedures, inspects products, measures process performance, records data and prepares formal reports as required by the company’s inspection and testing QC system. This professional certification is recognized throughout the US and globally and it's good for life, no recertification required.
The CQI Body of Knowledge Categories & Details
Technical Mathematics (includes using TI-30Xa calculator to do the math)
Basic Shop Math
Basic Algebra, Geometry & Trigonometry
Measurement Systems & Conversions
Metrology Gage Types, Care of, Calibration
Common Gauges and Measurement Instruments
Special Gauges and Applications
Gauge Selection, Handling and Use
Surface Plate Tools and Techniques
Specialized Inspection Equipment
Calibration and Measurement System Analysis (Gage R&R)
Drawings: Inspection & Test Methods
Reading Engineering Drawings
Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T)
Model-Based Definitions
AQL; C=O Sampling and Inspection Planning & Processes
Testing Methods; Test Equipment Software
Quality Assurance & Improvement Fundamentals
The Basic Model for a Quality Management System (QMS)
Basic Statistics and Applications; Statistical Process Control (SPC)
Quality Improvement Methods & Audits
Problem Solving Tools and Techniques
Problem Solving: Tools and Continuous Improvement Techniques
QA Fundamental
Course Schedule (may be adjusted to fit participants’ and instructor’s needs)
Session Dates, Topics and Instructor
December 6, 2024 - Metrology: Gage Types, Care of, Calibration
December 13, 2024 - Technical Mathematics: Part I
January 10, 2025 - Technical Mathematics: Part II
January 17, 2025 - no class
January 24, 2025 - Drawings: Inspection & Test Methods
January 31, 2025 - Quality Assurance & Improvement Fundamentals
Tim King, Education Chair for the Vermont Section of ASQ as well as the founding partner of the consulting and training firm, Quality Matters LLC, will sole instruct for this course.
Pre-work You are expected to have read/previewed the applicable section(s) of the CQI Handbook to be covered in the next session. Doing so will increase your grasp of the content and your readiness for the exam.
There will be in-class practice test questions
Summary guides will be given to help you retain key aspects that are exam-related and have them as reference during the exam
Course Fee $595.00 pp includes all materials, CQI Handbook and TI-30Xa calculator; the CQI Handbook is a $100.00 discounted price value. NOTE: The course fee does NOT include the ASQ certification exam fee ($447.00). The CQI exam is optional but required to achieve ASQ certification. This certification does NOT expire - no recertification required - and those who complete the course will receive a certificate from VTASQ.
In 2025, the ASQ CQI exam will be held in odd months - January, March, May, July, so on
Requirements to take the exam: 2 years of work experience in inspection or a related field. If you do not have a high-school diploma or GED, you must have three additional years of work experience.
The exam is “open book”; 110 questions; 4-hours & 18-minutes allotted time
Upon Registering You will be invoiced by VTASQ. The invoice is to be paid prior to Session 1. Registration ends on November 30.
This course emphasizes issues of practical importance to those who use Design of Experiment (DOE) methodologies in the R&D or production environment. It is intended for scientists, engineers, and technicians who would like an understanding of DOE concepts and the practical challenges that can arise when incorporating them into one’s experimental practices. The basic introduction to DOE and discussion of fundamental assumptions will be useful to those unfamiliar with DOE concepts. The discussion of complications and examples of how they can be addressed will be useful to those who are experienced with DOE and are interested in achieving better results from applying DOE principles. Managers of groups involved in R&D and production will find the material helpful in their efforts to support the work in their groups. This course will be equally useful for students, engineers and technicians who are working with any thin film deposition process or are planning to work in related areas.
Topics Included:
Underlying assumptions of DOE
DOE designs for screening factors & modeling responses
Response surface forms - the twisted plane, saddles, and domes
Complications that arise - when is a factor not really a factor?
More complications - dealing with non-linear responses
Is your focus in the food manufacturing operations area? Whether you grow, bake, mix, package, retail, wholesale or warehouse “it”, Lean 101 Food Production Fundamentals with B-TARTS is for you!
Taking the roots from our standard and popular Lean 101 Fundamentals learning opportunity, we’ll focus on aspects such as Value Stream Mapping - Current and Future States, 8 Wastes, Basic Lean Tools, Problem Solving and Continuous Improvement, Workplace Organization and Visual Controls. And then we’ll take it one step further - we’ve customized this offering to what’s in the best interest of VT food producers to help you with your workflow challenges, eliminating waste in your processes and systems and so much more.
One definition of Lean is “a systematic approach to identifying and eliminating waste (non-value added activities) through continuous improvement by flowing the product at the pull of the customer in pursuit of perfection.” Whether it’s scheduling, safety concerns, supply chain issues, plant or cell layout or warehousing, let us help you find solutions to your food production challenges.
We’ll show you how to make the most of your B-TARTS (we can’t use the trademarked name of those yummy toaster treats for the all-American on-the-go breakfast, so we’ve dubbed our very own Breakfast Treats and shortened the name!) or whatever your product or service offering might be. There are so many ways we can help you streamline your workflow, regardless of what size your company is, where you’re located, how many employees you have, etc. We specialize in making improvements to all operations, small or large, that will impact your bottom line in the black.
This day-long session’s agenda will consist of a mix of presentation and three hands-on role playing simulations where all attendees will take on an active role in a chaotic kitchen environment producing B-TARTS - mixing, baking, cooling, frosting, packaging and labeling and lastly, seeing the treats out the door to be shipped. Each simulation will show improvements from the previous round where at the end of the day, the B-TARTS factory will be one you’ll want to mirror with your own real live company!
Questions? Contact Louis Prue, VMEC Professional Manufacturing & Business Growth Advisor.
Noontime Knowledge: Strategy Deployment – Engaging Everyone with Focus, Alignment and Swiftness
Webinar • 12:00pm - 1:00pm • Free
VMEC advisors have long been practicing, teaching and facilitating Strategy Development, Activation and Deployment. And while we may agree that “Culture eats Strategy for Breakfast”, we have also experienced the powerful impact of Focus, Alignment, Swift Response AND Organizational Development. Using a proven process for Strategy Deployment helps to build the engaging, continuous improvement and innovation culture you are striving toward.
Join us for a Noontime Knowledge webinar led by Otto Funke, GlobalFoundries Manufacturing Engineer, as he shares effective practices he uses to:
- Initiate Strategy Deployment
- Implement Standard Strategy Deployment Elements
- Sustain Strategy Deployment year to year
- Apply Accountability Systems That Work
- Carry out the Strategy Deployment process to develop leadership and problem solving skills
Questions? Contact Carla Wuthrich, VMEC Director of Field Operations/ Professional Manufacturing & Business Growth Advisor.
VMEC advisors have long been practicing, teaching and facilitating Strategy Development, Activation and Deployment. And while we may agree that “Culture eats Strategy for Breakfast”, we have also experienced the powerful impact of Focus, Alignment, Swift Response AND Organizational Development. Using a proven process for Strategy Deployment helps to build the engaging, continuous improvement and innovation culture you are striving toward.