The Industry Needs You

Workforce Development & Perception-Shifting Initiatives

Click the links below to learn about a variety of industry efforts aimed at the future health of U.S. manufacturing. 

CHAMPION Now! (Change How American Manufacturing’s Perceived In Our Nation)

• Founder: Terry Iverson
• Focus: Inspiring youth through mentorship and hands-on experiences.
• Programs: Camp CHAMP kits, educational videos, and school outreach.
• Website Links:
  • https://championnow.org
  • https://championnow.org/camp-champ-2024/
  • https://championnow.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/CHAMPION-Now-ad-Sept-2024-rev-5.pdf
  • https://championnow.org/findingamericasgreatestchampion/
  • https://championnow.org/inspiringchampionsinmanufacturing/
  • https://championnow.org/donations/
  • https://championnow.org/volunteer/
  • https://championnow.org/podcasts/

The Manufacturing Institute (MI)

• Affiliation: Workforce development and education partner of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM).
• Key Initiatives:
  • Heroes MAKE America: Connects veterans with manufacturing careers.
  • Women MAKE America: Aims to close the gender gap in manufacturing.
  • MAPS (Modern Apprenticeship Pathways to Success): Develops apprenticeships in advanced manufacturing.
• Website Links:
  • https://themanufacturinginstitute.org
  • https://nam.org/workforce/
  • https://nam.org/issue/workforce-education/
  • https://themanufacturinginstitute.org/workers/workforce-projects/  

Reshoring Initiative

• Founder: Harry Moser
• Mission: Bringing manufacturing jobs back to the U.S.
• Programs: Skilled Workforce Development Program to motivate and train local talent.
• Website Links:
  • https://www.reshorenow.org
  • https://www.amtonline.org/article/reshoring-and-training-the-u-s-workforce-industry-leaders-who-started-as
  • https://reshorenow.org/skilled-workforce-development/
  • https://reshorenow.org/blog/the-reshoring-initiative-offers-a-skilled-workforce-development-program/
  • https://reshorenow.org/content/pdf/CareerReadiness1.pdf     

Manufacturing USA

• Description: A network of institutes focused on advanced manufacturing innovation.
• Workforce Development: Offers a national roadmap for education and workforce development.
• Website Links:
  • https://www.manufacturingusa.com/key-initiatives/manufacturing-workforce-development    
  • https://www.manufacturingusa.com/pages/revitalizing-americas-manufacturing-workforce-manufacturing-usa-national-roadmap

Tooling U-SME

• Affiliation: Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME)
• Services: Online training, certifications, and apprenticeship programs for manufacturing skills.
• Website Links:
  • https://www.sme.org/education/students/
  • https://www.sme.org/education/educators/
  • https://www.sme.org/workforce/
  • https://www.sme.org/training/training-at-tooling-u-sme/
  • https://www.sme.org/training/certifications/

The AMT – The Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT)

• Mission: Building a “Smartforce” by inspiring, educating, and training the next generation of manufacturing workers.
• Key Programs:
  • Smartforce Student Summit at IMTS: Offers hands-on exhibits, career exploration, and real-world technology interaction for students and educators.
  • Tooling U-SME Collaboration: Offers professional certification and training (e.g., CMTSE) integrated with Tooling U’s catalog.
• Website Links:
  • https://www.amtonline.org/smartforce
  • https://www.imts.com/smartforce/