Closing the Skills Gap
Training for glass fabrication personnel now available via MyGlassFAB
Above: Tristar Glass facility in Catoosa, Oklahoma.
The manufacturing industry is facing a skills gap. Industry growth is driving the need for more workers of every type, according to the 2024 Deloitte and Manufacturing Institute Talent Study. This is not news to the glass industry, where the skills gap reveals itself as a lack of industry experience among new hires. Glass fabricators report this is true at all levels of employment, but particularly among entry-level production personnel, who often come onboard with little to no glass experience. To help close that gap, the National Glass Association has launched MyGlassFAB.
Addressing the skills gap
MyGlassFAB is designed for entry-level production personnel. Available on the MyGlassClass.com online learning platform, MyGlassFAB allows new personnel to take training courses on their phones. The interactive courses range in length from five to 15 minutes, with the initial training focusing on safety, glass quality inspection, how to measure glass and basic math. Courses are available in English and Spanish, and as the course catalog grows, NGA will add training on tempering, laminating, decorative glass and insulating glass production.
Tristar Glass uses MyGlassFAB to onboard new employees. As part of their orientation process, new hires take MyGlassFAB courses on their phones, alongside an instructor. “The training provided through
MyGlassFAB has streamlined Tristar’s onboarding process by providing clear, accessible learning tools for new employees,” says Jon Kelley, production manager for the fabricator’s plant in Tulsa, Oklahoma. “The user-friendly platform allows new hires to quickly grasp the essentials of glass fabrication, helping them contribute effectively from day one. The content is relevant, useful and has integrated seamlessly with our existing training program.”
MyGlassFAB also allows companies to monitor training compliance: Supervisors can track employees’ training activity and test scores using the MyGlassClass.com Team Manager functionality. Companies can customize their Team Manager to monitor and conduct training for different lines, under different line leaders. While all employees may be required to take safety courses, for example, only a few may need glass measurement and math training. The Team Manager function allows companies to customize training for different employee groups, as well as run comprehensive reports on individuals or all employees.
The applicant gap
When it comes to job applicants, Top Glass Fabricators consistently report that finding labor remains difficult. However, it no longer tops the list of manufacturer challenges. While attracting and retaining a quality workforce was the top challenge for four years straight, it fell to fourth on the list in the fourth quarter of 2024, according to the National Association of Manufacturers outlook survey.
To view the MyGlassFAB course catalog, visit myglassfab.com.
