Page 18 - MetalForming April 2020

PMA—Who We Are
Robyn Turnbull and customer service manager Ashley Cline review, with Troy Turnbull, the CRM dashboards generated by Industrail Innovations’ Global Shop Solutions ERP system.
as provide information to manufac- turers about engaging students in the industry with the goal of building a trained and quality workforce.”
New from PMAEF: a micro-grant program designed to support the industry as it works to overcome and close the manufacturing skills gap. PMAEF will provide grants of as much as $5000 exclusively to PMA Districts for innovative partnerships and proj- ects that strengthen local and regional talent pipelines. Projects must align with the PMAEF mission, “to enhance the supply of skilled workers in the metalforming industry.”
Examples of ideal programs:
• Those that enhance the perception of industry careers for youth or re- careering adults, including Manufac- turing Day programs, STEM events and educator workshops.
• Ongoing mentorship by employ- ees of PMA member companies in a district working with local robotics teams during the school year and through competitions.
• Professional-development sessions featuring industry experts to address issues in workforce development and the skills gap.
• Creation and support of appren- ticeship programs.
• Creation and support of commu- nity coalitions and cohorts that strengthen the skilled worker pipeline.
Finally, PMAEF has partnered with
date, with nearly 800 licenses.”
Late in 2019, PMA transitioned MET- ALFORM EDU to a new platform, which users now find to be more intu- itive—for both learners and for HR managers. And, it offers a whole new
range of reports and analytics.
“In 2020,” Turnbull adds, “we plan to begin sourcing additional subject- matter experts for new content devel- opment, to ensure that we keep up with evolving technology and remain
a leader in providing training.”
Virtual Learning, Management Development
Training the industry doesn’t stop with METALFORM EDU. “In 2019, we focused on delivering high-quality vir- tual-learning events on a variety of pro- fessional and technical topics,” Turnbull says. “And, PMA’s Management Devel- opment Academy (MDA) remains strong. Twenty-three participants grad- uated from the latest MDA program, our ninth edition, in October 2019.”
At the grass-roots level, “the PMA Educational Foundation (PMAEF) and MetalForming magazine continue as proud sponsors of Manufacturing Day,” says Turnbull. “We see MFG Day as a celebration of modern manufacturing meant to inspire the next generation. Many of our member companies host plant tours and other informational sessions to spread the word about the rewarding career opportunities avail- able in our industry.
“Today’s stamping and tool and die shops, compared to the shops our par- ents and grandparents worked in,” Turnbull continues, “are bright-white clean and full of automation, from CNC machine tools to robotic transfer lines and welding cells. Kids love seeing metal turned into working parts.”
In addition, PMAEF, through its newly updated Center 4 Metalforming Careers website (www.center4metal- formingcareers.org), offers resources to assist with engaging students, par- ents and educators on the benefits of the industry, not only during MFG day, but year-round.
“The available resources have been developed to highlight the metal form- ing industry and its many fulfilling career options,” says Turnbull, “as well
16 MetalForming/April 2020
www.metalformingmagazine.com
Industrial Innovations’ sales manager Ben Erickson tend to the firm’s latest addition,
Reynolds (left) and CNC machinist Roger a Haas vertical machining center.