RHINELANDER - The Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce group held a seminar at Nicolet College in Rhinelander Tuesday, to plan how to make Wisconsin more attractive to skilled workers and manufacturing businesses.

WMC's president believes the shortage in younger people in the industry has to do with two big misconceptions about manufacturing.

"The younger kids, as do their parents, have a perception on what manufacturing looks like and it's about 40 years out of date. If you're in an advanced manufacturing facility now, it's clean, it's high-tech, the engineers and technicians are working together," said Jim Morgan."We have a perception problem. I think we still have a definition of success that's says unless you have a four-year degree, you're not successful."

Morgan says groups like WMC work to change that perception. He believes workers with a two-year degree are just as successful in the industry.

So far, WMC held seminars at nine other technical colleges. For Rhinelander, more manufacturers could mean more economic independence.

"The Rhinelander Chamber of Commerce is looking to see how it can help and partner with local manufacturers to make the Rhinelander area a more favorable place for them to locate their businesses, as well as to attract and retain skilled workers to make those businesses successful," said Dana DeMet, Rhinelander Chamber of Commerce director.

Over the next six months, WMC will continue to look for ways to attract more workers and businesses to the state.

In December, it hopes to have 1000 representatives for a meeting in Milwaukee focusing on how manufacturing will benefit the state.

WMC also works with the University of Wisconsin system and the Wisconsin Technical Colleges.

Story By: Kalia Baker