Thursday, October 10
3:00 - 6:00 pm
Generator Makerspace, Burlington
FREE!
Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center VMEC and Generator Makerspace will play co-hosts for this exciting event that focuses on the importance of careers in manufacturing, inspiring the future manufacturing workforce.
The afternoon will include two networking opportunities, facility tour, co-working space demonstrations and a panel discussion and Q&A with VT-based manufacturing leaders in their respective industries sharing their knowledge and experience in the Advanced Manufacturing world. Also, we will make available a resource area for all attendees.
If you’ve not been to Generator before, this event will provide the perfect opportunity to check out one of Burlington’s premier makerspaces in action! And if you have visited, what a perfect time for a refresher. Both the tour and Makerspace demonstrations will highlight Generator as an artist studio, classroom, and business incubator at the intersection of art, science, and technology. It provides the tools, expertise, education, and opportunity to enable every member of our community to create, collaborate and make their ideas reality.
Tinotenda Rutanhira, Executive Director, Business Development and Co-Founder, VT-Professionals of Color Network, will kick the event off with a brief overview of VTPOC's new program, Newcomer Nexus.
In addition to speaking about their Advanced Manufacturing journey as a strategic and competitive advantage, our panel will address topics such as adapting to the rapid pace of technological change, partnering and collaborating across organizations, hiring and upskilling their current workforce and more.
Our panel will include:
- Julie LaForce, President & Director of Organizational Development, Built By Newport
- Diane Abruzzini, COO and Co-Founder, Rigorous Technology
- Kalyn Bixler, Global Director of Manufacturing, OnLogic
- Kyle Clark, Founder/ CEO/ Director, BETA Technologies
Panel moderator will be Kevin Chu, Executive Director, Vermont Futures Project.
Who likes Breakfast Tarts?
The quick answer is we all do! And now you’re asking yourself, why am I receiving a VMEC communication asking me what my breakfast food choice is…let us tell you!
This fall, we’re rolling out a new, in-person training offering, Lean 101 Food Production Fundamentals with B-TARTS. Taking the roots from our standard and popular Lean 101 Fundamentals learning opportunity, we’re developing a focused approach to assist the hundreds of food provider organizations in Vermont with eliminating waste in their processes and systems, conducting workplace organization, solving problems and continuous improvement, adding visual controls to processes and so much more.
We’ll show you how to make the most of your B-TARTS - 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 classroom presentation and three hands-on simulations where all attendees will take on an active role in a chaotic kitchen environment! 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 or to let us know of your interest? Contact Louis Prue, VMEC Professional Manufacturing & Business Growth Advisor. We’ll post the event once it’s scheduled to the VMEC Training and Events page and send an announcement so you and your team may register. 
POSTPONED: NERDIC Ecosystem Quarterly Meeting
The NERDIC Ecosystem Quarterly Meeting is being postponed from September 13 to November 2024.
The State of Vermont is dealing with urgent response needs due to the recent flooding which has put additional demands on the local staff and contributed to a delay in finalization of the contract with OLDCC (Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation).
The new date for the next meeting will be announced shortly. Keep an eye out for a Save The Date announcement and additional information in the coming weeks via this means or NERDIC VT Quarterly meeting.
VSJF releases complete free training series for entrepreneurs and small business owners
The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF) recently released the complete set of six modules of its Business Sense series, next level tools for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Written by VSJF’s team of business coaches, this free series shares their decades of experience in areas such as financials, operations, sales, marketing, human resources, and leadership and governance.
VSJF provides tailored business management coaching, entrepreneurial support, and training to position Vermont-based entrepreneurs and small business owners in designated market sectors – agriculture, forestry, waste management, renewable energy, and environmental technology – for growth and long-term success.
Business Sense is designed to provide entrepreneurs and small business owners in various sectors with recommendations and practical advice to help their businesses not only survive but thrive. Technical service providers have also found Business Sense helpful when working with clients, often working off them as training tools and providing them as leave-behind resources. Visit VSJF Business Sense for complete details on the entire free module series.
Part of the nationwide MEP National Network and hosted by Vermont State University since 1995, VMEC operates as a not-for-profit with a primary mission, “to strengthen and empower Vermont manufacturers.”
A local resource and trusted adviser to manufacturing enterprises of all sizes, the VMEC team brings expertise in consulting, coaching, hands-on implementation support, training and education for leaders and workers. VMEC is the official representative of the MEP National Network in Vermont.
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