“SME PRIME paves the way for students to develop specialized skills in advanced manufacturing and puts them on a career path to make a livable wage. Coordinated by our staff of highly qualified education program managers, SME PRIME schools are a model; a unique approach to manufacturing education and career preparation implemented by scores of schools across the nation,” said SME Education Foundation vice president Rob Luce. “The SME PRIME program bolsters the industry’s talent pipeline to ensure North America’s industrial base remains strong.”
Manufacturing Curriculum
The SME PRIME curriculum at Columbia-Montour Area Vocational Technical School (CMAVTS) provides a program of manufacturing and engineering education with hands-on training in high demand skill sets including metrology and quality, CAD/CAM, additive manufacturing, and industrial maintenance. The participating students have unique opportunities to learn on industry relevant, state-of-the-art equipment and prepare for promising careers. The average salary for the state’s manufacturing workers is over $82,000 annually, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
“Participating in the SME PRIME program at CMAVTS has helped me gain more knowledge designing mechanical assemblies using Fusion 360 and 3D printing,” said CMAVTS SME PRIME student Benjamin Gearhart. “As a student in the Drafting and Design Technology program, it is important that I have technology and equipment to use to gain further knowledge in constructability and iterative design process.”
The Foundation worked with Arconic Foundation, the founding sponsor, and other program funders Girton Manufacturing, Sekisui Kydex, Function of Beauty and Cheetah Chassis to encourage area manufacturer engagement with the school and incorporate localized manufacturing guidance in developing a unique curriculum plan for the school.
“Arconic Foundation invested in bringing the SME PRIME program to CMAVTS because the highly tailored, employer-informed curriculum offers local students an incredible opportunity to build their skills and prepare for their future,” said Ryan Kish, Arconic Foundation President and Treasurer. “The SME PRIME curriculum and industry-grade equipment at CMAVTS will benefit students for years to come.”
About SME PRIME
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, student scholarships, and funding for extra-curricular activities and program sustainability. Tailored to meet the needs of local manufacturers and is aligned with over 40 industry recognized certifications. SME PRIME is located in 110 schools across 23 states, serving 10,000 students, and 91% of PRIME seniors pursue manufacturing post-graduation. Skills for Manufacturing Careers
About the SME Education Foundation
As the philanthropic arm of SME, the SME Education Foundation inspires, prepares, and supports the next generation of manufacturing and engineering talent. Established in 1979, the Foundation works to expose youth to modern manufacturing technologies, train students on relevant manufacturing processes, and award millions of dollars in scholarships annually. All Foundation programming seeks to empower youth to consider and pursue careers in manufacturing and engineering and increase engagement with historically underrepresented populations to help diversify the manufacturing industry. We continue to inspire, prepare and support the next generation of manufacturing and engineering talent – now as many as 12,000 students every year. Skills for Manufacturing Careers. Visit smeef.org and follow the SME Education Foundation on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
About SME
Established in 1932 as a nonprofit organization, SME represents the entire North American manufacturing industry, including manufacturers, academia, professionals, students, and the communities in which they operate. We believe manufacturing holds the key to economic growth and prosperity, and champion the industry’s potential as a diverse, thriving, and valued ecosystem. SME accelerates new technology adoption and builds North America’s talent and capabilities to advance manufacturing and drive competitiveness, resiliency, and national security. SME designs new ways to understand and solve problems, and our solutions advance the next wave of growth in manufacturing. Learn more at SME.org.
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Skills for Manufacturing Careers
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