Jeremy Kaszycki used his ambition, tenacity and a two-year SME Education Foundation scholarship to help change his life, transforming him from a high school student undecided about his future to an assembly process engineer at Magna International, a Tier One automotive supplier.
Roush Industries is making a difference by investing in the SME PRIME schools initiative to prepare Starkweather Academy students for opportunities as machinists, welders and fabricators. The company helps to inform and provide modern equipment, tailored curriculum and hands-on training for the school in Plymouth, Michigan.
As one of the first recipients of SME’s new Irving P. McPhail Scholarship, Brayden Miller is pursuing an associate degree in electrical and mechanical engineering at Rose State College. From there, he plans to transfer to a four-year university to get a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.
Grand Haven High School’s manufacturing education program includes multiple career pathways, each made possible through input, engagement and investment from local manufacturing partner, Shape Corp.
The number of SME PRIME high schools is set to double after the SME Education Foundation received a $6 million donation from the State of Michigan’s approved Education Budget. The legislation was crafted with bipartisan support from the Michigan Legislature, including Foundation board member and state representative Joe Tate (D-Detroit).
Rob Luce, SME Education Foundation vice president: “SME PRIME schools are central to our commitment of inspiring, preparing and supporting young people,”
SME PRIME (Partnership Response In Manufacturing Education) directly enhances the manufacturing and engineering talent pipeline by partnering with industry to build cost-effective and tailored manufacturing and engineering programs in high schools across the country. PRIME schools reach over 60 communities across 22 states where each high school is supported and informed by local manufacturers.
89% of SME PRIME schools students enter the manufacturing workforce, apprenticeships or pursue continued education.
SME and the SME Education Foundation today announced that Rob Luce has been appointed Vice President of the SME Education Foundation.
Valerie Freeman, a manufacturing and robotics pathway teacher at Park High School, will join the SME Education Foundation Board of Directors in 2021. Park High School in Racine Unified School District joined the SME PRIME school network in 2017. Freeman was instrumental in utilizing SME PRIME to install new curriculum, training to teach students important skills like how to program a robotic arm and remodeling the classroom for a more effective learning environment.