3rd Annual
Why attend?
A recent study revealed that for 72% of manufacturers workforce challenges such as being unable to attract and retain employees continue to be the top challenge. More than any other industry the labor shortage is affecting manufacturing sites, leaving nearly 600,000 stable jobs unfilled as of June 2023. According to studies the labor shortage will cause nearly 2.1 million jobs to be unfilled by 2030.
In the midst of these challenges, we’re bringing together manufacturing leaders to discuss the impact of this on knowledge transfer and production issues.
What to expect?
Embarking on its third year, we are delighted to introduce the Skills Gap Summit—an unparalleled gathering that brings together manufacturers, thought leaders, associations, and key industry players. Join us for an insightful day where participants collectively strive to Bridge the Skills Gap.
Building on the last two events, here’s a sneak peek what key themes the SGS 2024 comprises:
- Snapshot on the Houston area workforce situation
- How to capture knowledge before it leaves the site
- How to achieve operational discipline through standard procedure execution
- Academia’s roles in industry readiness and adult learning tools
- Interactive Q&A to brainstorm and converge on solutions.
Last year, our esteemed attendees included:
Who attends?
- SVPs, VPs, Plant Managers, Operations Directors, Unit Operating and Maintenance Leaders
- Senior and Global Reliability and Maintenance Managers
- Senior Health, Safety, and Environmental Managers
- Site Workforce Development and Human Resource Managers
- Site Learning and Development Coordinators
When??
March 21st 2024
Where?
South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center, Houston, Texas
Agenda.
Time
Activity
Speaker
7:30 – 8:15
Breakfast and Registration
All
8:15 – 8:20
Welcome and Agenda
Paul Cook, Voovio
8:20 – 8:30
Safety Moment
David Gosnay – Manager, Training & Development LyondellBasell
8:30 – 9:10
Disruptive Approach to STEM Workforce Talent Pipeline
Ruthe Farmer, Founder & CEO, Last Mile Education Fund
9:10 – 9:40
Preparing for the Energy Transition
Kathy Stewart, VP Operations & Technology, Vopak
9:40 – 10:00
Skills Challenge – Tabletop discussion
All
10:00 – 10:15
Break
10:15 – 10:50
Introduction to OSHA
Jorge Gomez, Compliance Specialist, OSHA
10:50 – 11:25
Digital Tech: Feedback from the Field
- Robert Pitts, Global Projects IT Discovery and Strategy Manager, Exxon
- Tasha David, Senior UX Researcher, Exxon
11:25 – 11:45
Future of the Energy Workforce Consortium
- Quintin D. Taylor, Chancellor, River Parishes Community College
- Theron Williams, Americas Learning Solutions Manager, Shell
11:45 – 12:45
Lunch
12:45 -1:05
Working with local colleges
Dorothy Ortego, Training Manager, LyondellBassell
1:05 – 1:25
Tabletop discussion- Talent
All
1:25 – 1:55
Attracting/Retaining Women in Manufacturing
- Sarah Roth, Site Logistics Director, Dow Freeport
- Nita Garza, Op Excellence & Technical Learning Manager, Dow Freeport
1:55 -2:25
Engaging Employees
Susan Dadd, Director Site Logistics, Covestro
2:25 – 2:45
Break
All
2:45 – 3:30
Attracting and Training Today’s Workforce- Panel Discussion
- Madonna Adams, Director, Brazosport College
- Brandy Roberts, Site Op Excellence Leader, Dow Freeport
- Nina Gore, Site Learning Leader, Dow Freeport
- Shawn Wehmeyer, Site Training Manager, Formosa Point Comfort
3:30 – 4:00
Tabletop discussion
All
4:00
Wrap Up and Thank you
Jaime Aguilera, CEO, Voovio
Looking for where to stay?
We have a room block at the South Shore Harbour Resort & Conference Center at a discounted rate of $139 for Wednesday 20th and Thursday 21st March (Booking Link). Feel free to contact your Voovio host if you have any issues with the hotel.
Skills Gap Summit 2022 & 2023.
“It was a learning experience to come here and understand from all the different industries the challenge in front of us. So, to have everyone give their testimonials and what it means to them and their companies was an eye opener.”
David Jensen, Operation Leader – GFTX Cell Manufacturing at Tesla
“I enjoyed the insights from other companies and the sharing of information in our sub groups at our tables. It’s just good to know you’re not alone.”
Tressa Fuller, Talent Developer at Total Energies
“Through the multiple different guest speakers that we’ve had here today there have been a lot of different methods that have been presented to us and different options that we can use in our own training plans. So, our team is going to go back today and evaluate how we can make our training better. We obviously want to continue to improve and make our training faster, retain knowledge, and capture information from people who are gonna be leaving in the next few years, so we can pass that to the generation to come.”
Hunter Schmidt, Learning Specialist at Dow Chemical
“We all have the same problem. We have to conform to the new age of thinking and learning. It was great to learn from the different perspectives on filling the skill gaps and to collaborate with other businesses & industry partners.”
Survey Participant
