The American Mold Builders Association has awarded a total of $54,000 to eight mold makers under the American Mold Manufacturing Advancement Grant, focusing on workforce development.
AMBA launched the grants last year. So far, the Indianapolis-based trade association has awarded nearly $150,000 to member companies. The grants support programs and projects that fall into three main areas: training, advocacy/industry promotion and research and development.
Funds awarded this year will support students at all grade levels with a variety of programs, including job shadowing, new apprenticeship programs, technical training, CNC software, career and technical education, robotics competitions, Manufacturing Day activities and manufacturing camps.
These AMBA member companies have won grants this year:
- Century Die Co. LLC of Fremont, Ohio, will use the money to offset out-of-pocket expense of programs for area schools for job shadowing.
- Creative Blow Mold Tooling in Lee's Summit, Mo., is supporting the funding of new robotics kids for middle school, high school and home-schooled teams participating in the BotsKC competition.
- M.R. Mold & Engineering Corp. of Brea, Calif., will use the funds to bus in students from the surrounding community during Manufacturing Day and throughout the year.
- Midwest Mold Services Inc. of Roseville, Mich., is purchasing online curriculum to supplement teachers and provide ongoing training for CAD/CAM teachers on newly purchased equipment.
- Mold Craft Inc. of Willernie, Minn., will provide for high school students to participate in one or more manufacturing experiences, to get a better understanding of how they can enter a moldmaking career.
- Prodigy Mold & Tool Inc. in Haubstadt, Ind., will use the money in the classroom and to upgrade software and hardware.
- Superior Tooling Inc. of Wake Forest, N.C., helps support an ongoing partnership of companies that have designed a program to recruit high school seniors for a four-year apprenticeship, which includes a fully funded associate's degree and a guaranteed job upon completion.
- Wepco Plastics Inc. of Middlefield, Conn., will use the money to help expand districtwide programing in Hebron public schools, relating to STEAM instruction (science, technology, engineering, the arts and math).
AMBA places workforce development through educational outreach as a top priority.
"It is our continued mission to educate students, parents and educators about the many competitive career opportunities the mold building industry offers," said AMBA Managing Director Kym Conis. "With programs like the AMMA grant, we can continue to interest students and draw them into apprenticeship programs that will turn them into skilled, successful tradesmen."