Indianapolis — The American Mold Builders Association has awarded a total of $70,0000 to 11 mold makers for workforce development under the American Mold Manufacturing Advancement Grant program.
AMBA launched the AMMA Grant in 2017. The grant invests in advancing the mold building industry by supporting programs and projects that fall into three primary areas: training, advocacy/industry promotion, and research and development.
Grant money supports students in all grade levels with a variety of programs, including job shadowing, local competitions, the integration of curriculum specific to the skilled trades, technical training, CNC software, programs for career and technical education (CTE) and Manufacturing Day activities.
The following AMBA member companies won grants this year: TK Mold & Engineering Inc. of Romeo, Mich.; Westminster Tool Inc. of Plainfield, Conn.; Wepco Plastics of Middlefield, Conn.; Snider Mold Co. Inc. of Mequon, Wis.; Prodigy Mold & Tool Inc. of Haubstadt, Ind.; Precision Mold & Machining Services Inc. of Warren, Mich.; M.R. Mold & Engineering Corp. of Brea, Calif.; Legacy Precision Molds Inc. of Grandville, Mich.; Creative Blow Mold Tooling of Lee's Summit, Mo.; Century Die Co. of Fremont, Ohio; and Armin Tool & Manufacturing Co. of South Elgin, Ill.
The AMMA Grant places great value on community involvement, and many AMBA members also say it can drive workforce development.
"Receiving the AMMA Grant has been a tremendous opportunity for us to impact our community," said Charles Daniels, Wepco's chief financial officer. "This year, we'll be able to add CNC milling instruction to the local curriculum, advancing student awareness of, and interest in, our industry through inquiry-driven, manufacturing-focused learning."
In addition to the grant, the Indianapolis-based AMBA offers members access to scholarship funds, recruitment tools, educational outreach contests and tools for skills certification and training.
"With access to these marketing materials and programs, we hope to support our members in educating the next generation on the many opportunities available through a career in manufacturing," Kym Conis, AMBA managing director, said.