Project MFG and AEM team up to train skilled personnel
AEM (The Association of Equipment Manufacturers) announced today a collaborative partnership with Project MFG, a workforce development effort underwritten by the U.S. Department of Defense and other companies in the manufacturing industry.
The joint effort lays out a common goal: to "accelerate the growth of the skilled trade talent pool, building our manufacturing workforce." per a September 15 press release. The partnership with Project MFG will utilize the a method of bridging gaps between industry and education, "not only to raise awareness for the demand and nature of careers in skilled trades, but also to ensure that education and training is aligned with the needs of manufacturers."
“AEM is committed to supporting our members and their efforts to attract, engage and retain a more highly skilled workforce,” said AEM Senior Director of Workforce and Industry Initiatives Julie Davis. “In promoting engagement with Project MFG, we are helping facilitate real opportunities for our members to connect with education and gain access to the next generation of industry employees.”
“Since Day 1, Project MFG has been hyper-focused on workforce development and enabling American Manufacturing to reclaim and solidify our position as the world leader,” said Dr. Ray Dick, founder of Project MFG. “Through our series of competitions, we are changing the conversation around skilled trade careers in manufacturing. Not only are we raising awareness for demand, we are initiating conversations between education/industry/economic development – to generate growth of the trained workforce in regions where competitions are held.”
Through their newly established collaboration with Project MFG, AEM will gain exposure within a nationally recognized program, one that possesses multiple assets and positive momentum. AEM members can leverage this relationship in a variety of ways to:
Raise awareness locally/regionally/nationally
Access top talent and develop a future stream of developed talent
Influence skills being taught
Create goodwill/positive industry perception in communities where facilities are located, through local/regional/national PR and media events
Ways that AEM members can get involved include:
Sponsorship of teams
Providing venue for competitions
Providing equipment to be used at competitions/with tech school partner
Influence the work completed and skills utilized at competitions
Sponsorship of overall competitions (or series of competitions) locally/regionally/nationally
Sponsorship of media production/reality series production
“AEM views Project MFG as a catalyst to elevate the next generation of skilled trade professionals by changing mindsets, fostering community preparedness, and challenging how the critical skills needed to succeed in modern advanced manufacturing are taught,” said Davis. “Through educational outreach, local, regional and national trade skill competitions, Project MFG is building positive perception of industry and attracting talented individuals to careers in skilled professions.”
For more information on AEM’s partnership with Project MFG, contact Julie Davis at jdavis@aem.org.
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