Those of us in the metalworking industry depend on having a steady supply of architects, engineers, supervisors, estimators, machine operators and other skilled employees to help our businesses thrive. There are various ways we can encourage and support the next generation of metal working professionals, those who will be working in the construction and manufacturing arenas.
The Foundation of the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association (FMA) sponsors a program creatively called
FMA has an amazing array of activities to engage younger individuals in manufacturing including manufacturing summer camps, robotics, scholarships and their “Dream It. Do It.” campaign.
John Ratzenberger (of TV fame as Cliff Clavin in Cheers) a long-time proponent for introducing young people to the exciting career opportunities in manufacturing, states that the future of the industry in this country is in our youth. “Organizations such as the FMA Foundation and the Nuts, Bots and Thingamajigs Foundation, an organization I co-founded, aim to encourage youth to consider manufacturing as a career option,” he said.
(Full disclosure: I have met John Ratzenberger through my first cousin, George Wendt, Norm Peterson of Cheers.)
Teen programs at the Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) include an architecture and design competition which involves more than 1500 Chicago Public high school students annually. Their programs “foster architectural and design skills, promote integration of core academic subjects within a complex design problem, connect talented students with mentors to explore career options, and set the bar high for excellence, achievement, and perseverance.”
At the college and university level, activities to promote careers in manufacturing include competition in building bridges, solar-powered cars, and robots.
The American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) sponsors outreach opportunities including the National Student Steel Bridge Competition. Civil engineering students design, fabricate, erect and test structural efficiency and appearance.
Alone, or with an AISC Regional Engineer, I myself often give presentations to graduate and undergraduate engineers about curving steel.
If you are in the metal working business, consider supporting these programs. If you know young people who might benefit from being exposed to all the possibilities, including, perhaps, your children, encourage them to become involved. These are excellent programs.
