Skip to content
SME Education Foundation SME PRIME What is SME PRIME?

SME PRIME

Sometimes industries and schools don’t speak the same language, but SME PRIME has built a team that can translate, with great liaisons between schools and industry.”
– High School Educator

Learn More

Directly Enhancing Manufacturing and Engineering Talent Across the Country

SME PRIME® (Partnership Response In Manufacturing Education) is the signature program of the SME Education Foundation. Founded in 2011, SME PRIME partners private industry with academia to build custom manufacturing and engineering programs in high schools across the country — providing equipment, curriculum, teacher training and student scholarships along with funding for manufacturing-related extracurricular activities and program sustainability.

SME PRIME is the most comprehensive manufacturing and engineering program for high school students in the country.

What makes us different? 

  • SME PRIME is provided at no cost to high schools
  • Curriculum is tailored to meet local manufacturers’ needs and aligned with state educational standards
  • Foundation staff coordinate program development and alleviate administrative burdens
  • Ongoing financial support provided to sustain program longevity

SME PRIME Impact

133

Schools in 27 states

12,000

Students served annually

91%

Of SME PRIME seniors choose manufacturing/ engineering post-grad.

Preparing the Next Generation Workforce

Two million manufacturing jobs need to be filled by 2030. SME PRIME is the response to this challenge.
SME PRIME

Program Offerings

All PRIME deliverables are free to the schools allowing for hands-on training in high schools across the country, supplemented with a tailored curriculum and influenced by local manufacturers in their communities.
More Information

Recent SME PRIME Stories

CTE ‘Teacher of Year’ Succeeds with Help of SME PRIME

Trent Trout, computer integrated manufacturing instructor at Saline High School (SHS) — an SME PRIME (Partnership Response in Manufacturing Education) school — was taken aback recently when his former boss strode into his classroom followed by a group of cheering coworkers.

SME PRIME Helps Proviso West Students Excel

Students at Proviso West High School, in Hillside, Illinois, have earned thousands of manufacturing certifications, taken top prizes at industry competitions and been placed into local apprenticeships since their school was awarded an SME PRIME® (Partnership Response in Manufacturing Education) program in early 2022.

SME PRIME Supports Immigrant-Focused Engineering School

Asaad and Neran Kalasho, a married couple who emigrated from Iraq to the Detroit area in the 1970s, envisioned establishing an engineering-focused educational opportunity for students arriving from war-torn regions

View All SME PRIME Stories

smeef-giving-banner-prime-320x320.jpg

Connect with the SME Education Foundation

Stay up-to-date on what's happening with the foundation, the PRIME Program, upcoming student summits, scholarship opportunities and more.
Facebook11053970_x_logo_twitter_new_brand_icon.pngInstagramLinkedInYouTube

Q4

Recent PRIME Announcements

View All PRIME Announcements

Read Annual Report

2024 was a record year for the SME Education Foundation as Bright Minds Student Summits, SME PRIME, and the Scholarship program delivered impressive results.
Facebook11053970_x_logo_twitter_new_brand_icon.pngInstagramLinkedInYouTube