News

Posted On: 04/12/2010

New partnership brings joys of manufacturing to more kids across the country

Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, Intl.

Nuts, Bolts and Thingamajigs (NBT), The Foundation of the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association, Intl. (FMA) and the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) have joined forces to develop a national program that builds on NBT’s successful summer manufacturing camp blueprint.

In 2010, 18 NACCE member community colleges throughout the United States will offer NBT summer manufacturing camps targeting youth at the critical level of secondary education, exposing them to math, science, engineering and entrepreneurship principles, while having the opportunity to see the technology being used in the industry. 

This year, camps will be offered at:

• College of the Sequoias, Visalia, Calif.
• Yuba College, Marysville, Calif.
• Rock Valley College, Rockford, Ill.
• Quinsigamond Community College, Worcester, Mass.
• Springfield Technical Community College, Springfield, Mass.
• Southern Maine Community College, South Portland, Maine
• Pine Technical College, Pine City, Minn.
• Minnesota State Community & Tech College, Fergus Falls, Minn.
• Lake Superior College, Duluth, Minn.
• Hennepin Technical College, Minneapolis, Minn.
• Southeast Community College, Lincoln, Neb.
• Lorain County Community College, Elyria, Ohio
• York Technical College, Rock Hill, S.C.
• Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton, Wis.
• Moraine Park Technical College, West Bend, Wis.
• Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Green Bay, Wis.
• Montgomery County Community College, Blue Bell, Penn.
• Itawamba Community College, Tupelo, Miss.

Camp participants use technology to create a product from start to finish providing them practical manufacturing experience in 3D design, computer numerical control (CNC) programming, welding, machining, and more, while learning product creation, problem solving, entrepreneurship and team building. Visits to area manufacturers provide an up-close look at products being made as well as career advice and inspiration from the entrepreneurs who run the companies.

A recent national poll sponsored by NBT showed a majority of teens – 52% – have little or no interest in a manufacturing career and another 21% are ambivalent. When asked why, a whopping 61% said they seek a professional career, far surpassing other issues such as pay (17% ), career growth (15%) and physical work (14%).   

To support the efforts of NBT and NACCE, call (888) 394-4362 or visit http://www.nutsandboltsfoundation.org/Ways-to-Give.cfm. Interested youth may learn how to sign up for a camp in their area by visiting http://www.nutsandboltsfoundation.org/Grants.