Project Overview
Project Overview
The Jane Addams Resource Corporation (JARC) is committed to providing the most comprehensive and timely training to its trainees. JARC aims to scale up their teaching materials with up-to-date and more complex blueprints for all three Careers in Manufacturing Programs: Mechanical Assembly, Computer Numerical Control (CNC), and Welding. Currently, JARC instructors are utilizing about 10+ blueprints most of which are basic or out-of-date. Some drawings are pulled from past instructors’ instructional material. This project aims to create a cohesive set of drawings that can be used for instructional purposes in either Mechanical Assembly, CNC or Welding. There are identified specific needs for each of these training programs, which will be shared with the fellows at the beginning of the project.
It is intended that the Fellow could start with basic drawings with 1-3 views focusing on basic blueprint lines that are used in all blueprint drawings, as follows: (1) Object, (2) Hidden, (3) Center, (4) Dimension, (5) Extension, and (6) Leader. The basic drawings would also include title blocks, revision blocks, and tolerance blocks. For Welding, this would also include welding reference lines and basic symbols. For Mechanical Assembly, a drawing would have a parts list/Bill of Materials and item bubbles. This project’s goal is to create up to forty drawings that would increase in complexity that could be used in one or more of the CMP focus industries.
Impact
Founded in 1985, JARC is a workforce development nonprofit based in Chicago. JARC has developed a sector-based manufacturing training model with surrounding supportive services for their clients who are facing barriers to full-time employment. To provide manufacturers a pipeline of trained candidates, JARC follows an open enrollment and open exit format. This enables them to develop the necessary technical and soft skills, critical financial coaching and other supportive services they need to secure a manufacturing position. JARC’s goal is to help the clients transition out of poverty toward financial stability. To support their employer partners, JARC also provides incumbent worker training to prepare their workforce to leverage new technologies and retention.
There is a growing skills gap in both recruiting new workers and upskilling incumbent workers in manufacturing. A 2021 report from the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) shared that 2.1 million jobs will remain unfilled by 2030 resulting in a loss of $1 trillion. In a 2024 article, Forbes reported that the number of job openings has only increased; they project that there will be 3.8 million job openings by 2033.
Studies, such as a 2024 report from Ernst & Young LLP, highlight the need for technical knowledge and expertise that allows workers to perform tasks on the shop floor with ever-changing demands and technologies. After speaking with program employer partners, JARC team realizes that they require more advanced blueprint reading. With the support of this Impact Project’s outcome, JARC will be better able to train and support job seekers as well as partners in this area.
Eligibility Criteria
Skills / Experience:
- Required:
- CAD Modeling
- Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM)
- Manufacturing/Design for Manufacturing
- Desired:
- CAD Rendering
- Graphic Design
Software Needs:
- Desired:
- Autodesk Product Design and Manufacturing
Discipline:
- Mechanical Engineering or related
Preferred Fellow Local Experience (All projects can be completed remotely):
- N/A
Preferred Timezone (when the Fellow should be available for meetings):
- Compatibility with UTC-06:00 Central Standard Time (CST)
