[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 121 (Monday, September 14, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1709-E1710]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR METALWORKING SKILLS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID L. HOBSON

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 14, 1998

  Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements 
of four individuals from my district and to support the work being

[[Page E1710]]

done by the non-profit National Institute for Metalworking Skills, or 
NIMS.
  Today, there are approximately 10,000 precision metalworking 
companies which provide key components for the global market and 
provide challenging and high-paying jobs for thousands of Americans. 
These Americans produce high-precision tools, dies, and moldings for 
industry, as well as the actual components for everything from 
automobiles to refrigerators.
  NIMS has recognized the need for leadership in the development of a 
portable, measurable, and widely recognized skill standards curriculum 
to maintain the United States' international leadership in precision 
metalworking. At the same time, employees can continually improve their 
training and expertise, and in turn their marketability.
  NIMS was founded in 1995 as a non-profit organization to support the 
development of a skilled workforce for the metalworking industry 
through the development of portable skill standards. These standards 
would be implemented by certifying training programs within the 
industry and within educational establishments to train employees and 
students to these new standards. NIMS is actively working with states, 
schools, and companies to form partnerships to implement this 
comprehensive employee training program.
  I am especially proud that four constituents employed in Ohio's 7th 
Congressional District were the first in the nation to receive the 
National Skills Standards for Metal Stamping Level III certificates. I 
would like to recognize the achievements of George Anzek and Tim Conkel 
from Morgal Machine Tool Company, and Dave Buxton and Kevin Miller from 
Ohio Stamping and Machine Company. These individuals were recognized in 
an earlier ceremony in Ohio and were personally awarded these 
certificates by Ohio Governor George V. Voinovich. My sincere 
congratulations are extended to these four individuals.
  I would like to enclose for the Record the following letter by the 
eight governors of the Great Lakes States. Metalworking is an important 
component of the economic life of the Great Lakes States, and they have 
agreed to work in partnership with NIMS to recognize the NIMS 
occupational standards.
  Skill standards are really about unlocking the potential of 
employees, which makes sense for both employees and employers. The 
companies where these employees work, which are both based in my 
hometown of Springfield, Ohio, recognized the value of investing in 
their employees. Morgal Machine Tool Company and the Ohio Stamping 
Machine Company offer their employees skill training and performance 
related bonuses. By making significant and continuing investments in 
their employees training, they have demonstrated the value of these 
investments in human capital through consistent improvements in 
productivity.
  I support these efforts to improve our nation's skilled workforce and 
look forward to the continued development and utilization of the NIMS 
skill standards model.

                          ____________________