SME Education Foundation Launches PRIME
(Partnership Response in Manufacturing Education)

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The SME Education Foundation is committed to changing the future of manufacturing education and addressing the shortage of manufacturing and technical talent in the United States. This initiative builds on our five-year, $5.2 million investment in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)-based education programs supporting workplace development.

Through PRIME (Partnership Response in Manufacturing Education), we are creating strong partnerships between organizations, businesses, and exemplary schools to provide a comprehensive community-based approach to manufacturing education.

The new program was launched nationwide in fall 2011 at six model sites and designed to bring our industry and organization partners into the classroom to insure relevant connections be established between the curriculum being taught and the real world.

The six selected schools were chosen based on a set of select criteria: exemplary manufacturing curriculum, skilled and dedicated instructors, engaged and active students and connectivity to the local manufacturing base or an SME membership group. Each of the six model schools will receive a $10,000 grant from the SME Education Foundation which can be used to update their manufacturing equipment, CAD/CAM software, or for instructor training. In additional each school will receive $5,000 to launch and build a summer camp program to insure the pipeline of students interested in manufacturing continues to be filled.

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   PRIME School Attributes

  • Exemplary manufacturing curriculum and/or the PLTW CIM program
  • Skilled and energetic instructors
  • Engaged and active students
  • Strong administrative support from the district and school
  • Corporate support or the potential for support from the manufacturing community
  • SME member involvement including SME local chapters

PRIME School Benefits  

  • $10,000 grant to update equipment, software, and/or professional development
  • $5,000 in funding for Gateway Academy summer camp
  • Scholarship opportunities for students with provided connections
  • Assistance ensuring a manufacturing business is on the school partnership team
  • Facilitation of mentorships, tours of local businesses, and job shadows
  • Connection to mycareerme.org website for student projects and resourcesPress release acknowledging commitment and impact Recognition and feature articles on the SME EF website
  • Access to local SME members
  • Complimentary instructor membership in the Society of Manufacturing Engineers
  • Informational SME Webinars
  • PRIME school banner to recognize school stature within the community


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    PRIME Partners Benefits
    (Corporate/Individual Supporters)

  • Change current perception of manufacturing for the next generation
  • Provide relevance of curriculum by providing “real world” connections
  • Offer instructor insight into the manufacturing experience
  • Focus philanthropic/volunteer efforts on a program impacting local schools  
  • Receive recognition for your support with a customized PR plan

Working together with the SME Education Foundation and focusing their philanthropic efforts on supporting local education, our PRIME partners (individuals and corporations) are working diligently to change perceptions of today’s manufacturing for the next generation. We are offering real world connections for students and educators - the true champions of our industry.

This is the “response” of the SME Education Foundation, its supporters, and partners. What's yours?

Additional Information About PRIME