Employees at area businesses and manufacturing industries are invited to attend Shop Talk Workshops July 20 and 27 and Aug. 10 at the Greater Ozarks Center for Advanced Technology (GOCAT), 395 Jackie D. Garrett Ave., in West Plains.
The free workshops are being hosted by Missouri State University-West Plains and the Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC).
They are set for 7 to 9 a.m. each day and designed to educate and inform manufacturers and their employees on such topics as safety, blueprints and workforce expectations.
Industrial Safety Workshop
The Industrial Safety workshop on July 20 will cover such topics as electrical safety, machine operation safety and employee awareness.
“Industrial safety is important, especially in high-risk areas,” said Sheila Barton, project coordinator at GOCAT. “It is a safeguard to protect human life. Knowing about industrial safety reduces risk to people and manufacturing processes.”
Basic Blueprinting Workshop
The Basic Blueprinting workshop on July 27 will focus on understanding and interpreting engineering standards, tolerances and drawing standards.
“Blueprinting is the universal language used by engineers, technicians and skilled craftsmen and helps them visualize the plan or model,” Barton said.
Understanding the Workplace Workshop
Understanding the Workplace, the workshop set for Aug. 10, is a professional development workshop that will provide information to employers and employees about appropriate dress, attitudes, attendance and workplace ethics.
“Employees must understand workforce expectations and the differences between the employer and employees,” Barton explained.
All of the workshops will be led by Larry Noller, part-time instructor with Missouri State-West Plains.
“The workforce is changing every day, and it is important to be prepared and reminded of standards and expectations of manufacturers,” Barton said.
For more information about the workshops, contact Barton at 417-255-7784. Those planning to attend should RSVP to the same phone number by July 17. A continental breakfast will be served.