Each year the Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs foundation of the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association (FMA) funds summer manufacturing camps across the country (including one here in Rockford at Rock Valley College’s TechWorks Center).
The question always is: “…does it work? If kids participate in a camp like this will it influence what they think or how they feel about a possible career opportunity?” The answer we’ve found each year is yes. And I’d like to share results from last year’s program with those of you who care about the future of manufacturing and the skilled worker shortage that will continue to worsen over the next decade.
While some of the kids who participate in these camps already have an interest in or perhaps a family connection to manufacturing or technology, the level of understanding about what jobs are available, what kind of educational background is required and even what local companies make is significantly enhanced after completing just a one-week program. Imagine how much more could be achieved if there were regular school programs they could be exposed to each year — starting in grade school. Perhaps we would not have our current skilled labor shortage. Looking to the future, perhaps we’d have young people paying more attention in their math and science classes, and the trade schools and technical colleges would be the most popular places in town as those same young people are ready to prepare for careers, invent new products, create new companies, and produce even more new job opportunities.
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