(Dearborn, Mich., May 1, 2017) ― The SME Education Foundation has presented the Michigan Manufacturers Association (MMA) with its 2017 Outstanding Partner Award, recognizing support of the Foundation’s mission to inspire, prepare and support the next generation manufacturing workforce. MMA was honored at the annual SME International Awards Gala on April 30.
Since combining efforts in 2016, MMA and the Foundation have been collaborating with manufacturers about developing new SME PRIME® (Partnership Response In Manufacturing Education) programs at high schools across the state. The alliance with MMA has paved the way for the Foundation to form new corporate sponsorships with Michigan-based companies to establish new PRIME schools.
“From day one, the Michigan Manufacturers Association has been an outstanding partner, introducing us to manufacturing leaders in the state who are challenged with finding and retaining a skilled workforce,” said Brian Glowiak, vice president of the SME Education Foundation. “We are confident that joining efforts with MMA will help develop the pipeline of skilled technicians.”
MMA is the state’s leading advocate devoted exclusively to the promotion of Michigan’s manufacturing industry. The organization’s goal is to help manufacturers successfully compete throughout the state, across the nation and around the world while maintaining a business climate favorable to industry.
“The Michigan Manufacturers Association is excited about the potential opportunities to boost the talent pipeline and improve the image of manufacturing careers to youth across Michigan,” says Chuck Hadden, president and CEO of Michigan Manufacturers Association. “Manufacturing is the largest sector in the Michigan economy, and we’re proud to partner with the SME Education Foundation and the PRIME network to deliver real talent solutions.”
Since 2008, the Foundation has presented individuals and companies with the Outstanding Partner Award to acknowledge their commitment to strengthening the manufacturing workforce and educating young people about the unlimited career possibilities in manufacturing.
About the SME Education Foundation
The SME Education Foundation is committed to inspiring, preparing and supporting the next generation of manufacturing engineers and technologists. Since its creation by SME in 1979, the SME Education Foundation has provided grants, scholarships and awards through its partnerships with corporations, organizations, foundations and individual donors. Each year, the Foundation awards several hundred scholarships to students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering and technology disciplines closely related to manufacturing. The organization also administers scholarship awards on behalf of major corporations connected to manufacturing. Additionally, the Foundation’s PRIME initiative was created to provide high school students with a tailored advanced manufacturing/STEM education.
Visit the SME Education Foundation at smeef.org. Follow @mfgeducation on Twitter or facebook.com/SME.Education.Foundation.
About Michigan Manufacturers Association
The Michigan Manufacturers Association (MMA) is the state’s leading advocate focused solely on securing a prosperous future for Michigan manufacturers through effective advocacy, meaningful education and strategic business services. MMA remains committed to its standing values of trust, leadership, knowledge, influence, and relationship building — all for the continued success of the state’s largest and most vital industry.