News

Posted On: 06/29/2009

Manufacturers donate funds to inspire the next generation of skilled workers

PlantServices.com

Even in these uncertain economic times, companies in the hard-hit manufacturing sector are stepping up to the plate to improve the industry. The Gene Haas Foundation, Amada America and CNA Insurance Foundation contributed grants totaling $100,000 to Nuts, Bolts and Thingamajigs (NBT), the Foundation of the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association, Intl., to help fund the winners of its 2009 manufacturing camp grant awards.

Each year, with the support of sponsor companies, NBT awards grants to not-for-profit organizations and educational institutions that offer overnight or day camp experiences that introduce young people ages 12 to 16 to careers in manufacturing and engineering.

The Gene Haas Foundation, based in Oxnard, Calif., donated $50,000 to support 10 summer camps for one year; Amada America, located in Buena Park, Calif., contributed $40,000 to support three camps for three consecutive years; and Chicago-based CNA Insurance provided $10,000 to fund two camps for one year.

The camps target youths at the critical level of secondary education, exposing them to math, science and engineering principles, and giving them opportunities to see the technology being used in industry and the high level of skills that will be required from the workforce.

NBT recently launched a text-to-give program that allows people to donate to the organization by simply texting “123” to the number “90999” from their cell phones. Supporters will be prompted to confirm their gift by replying with the word YES.  After replying with YES, a five-dollar donation will be charged directly to the caller’s cell phone bill.

More information on NBT is available at www.NutsAndBoltsFoundation.org.