Partnership announced for training for additive manufacturing career
MARIETTA – The Appalachian Ohio Manufacturers’ Coalition with Marietta City Schools and America Makes, the nation’s leading public-private partnership for additive manufacturing technology and education, have recently launched the Ohio Secondary Education Additive Manufacturing Training Network.
The network will provide formal education and training of additive manufacturing technologies to high school students and their educators to ensure the next generation of Ohio workers are equipped with the skills to fill advanced manufacturing jobs.
Marietta City Schools is among the initial 10 high participating schools statewide, including public, charter and career and technical schools, in the network. The America Makes Education and Workforce Development program was created with the Ohio Development Services Agency and is funded through the Fiscal 2020-21 state budget.
“Inclusion in this elite program is just the beginning,” said coalition representative Linn Yost. “We nominated Marietta City Schools for inclusion because we knew that they would have the biggest impact out of the gate. They already have the framework to hit the ground running with these trainings and the organization to hold events so that these technologies can be shared with other students throughout Southeastern Ohio and the Mid-Ohio Valley.”
Programs like the America Makes’ Ohio Secondary Education Additive Manufacturing Training Network can help expand training opportunities for both Ohio students and educators and expose students to career opportunities in advanced technologies, according to Josh Cramer, America Makes Education and Workforce Development Director.
“There’s no question that our state and our nation are facing a significant skilled labor shortage and misalignment of skills and competencies,” Cramer said. “We need to take action now with K-12 students, with immediate emphasis on focusing on secondary education students and empowering their educators–from teachers to principals and guidance counselors–to help them increase students’ awareness of AM technologies and advanced manufacturing careers. The awareness vacuum around manufacturing career opportunities is an even larger issue than the skills gap. With the creation of the Ohio Secondary Education Additive Manufacturing Training Network, we are building that critically needed additive talent pipeline across the state of Ohio.”
The Additive Manufacturing Training Network leverages best practices and industry-vetted content and curriculum from America Makes and its members, offers industry recognized credentialing and badges and provides tailored training and coaching to teachers, principals and counselors. It also includes a middle school toolkit with teacher training to encourage interest in additive manufacturing in students. Each school in the network is also receiving AM technology packages of six Dremel DigiLab 3D45 Advanced Idea Builder 3D Printer bundles with materials and supplies. Additionally, each school will receive support for community engagement activities, open houses and participation in national additive manufacturing events.
Delivery of the 3D printers and professional development for teachers at Marietta City Schools began this month.