SME Education Foundation's PRIME School Initiative Recognized with Two Industry Awards

Educational partnerships acknowledged by Great Lakes Manufacturing Council and the Manufacturing Leadership Awards

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Apr 21, 2014, 09:00 ET

DEARBORN, Mich., April 21, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In recognition of the impact the initiative has made among future generations of manufacturers, the SME Education Foundation's flagship educational program, PRIME (Partnership Response in Manufacturing Education), has earned award nominations from two industry associations.

SME Education Foundation logo (PRNewsFoto/SME)

PRIME is a community-based approach to manufacturing education and is designed to address the shortage of manufacturing and technical talent in the U.S. PRIME schools partner with local manufacturing businesses to offer students a range of valuable benefits, including mentoring, tours of local businesses, job shadowing and internships.

PRIME is one of the initiatives recognized by the Great Lakes Manufacturing Council's Talented Workforce Initiative. The Great Lakes Manufacturing Council is a bi-national organization that focuses on promoting manufacturing in the Great Lakes Region. The Talented Workforce Initiative identifies the most imaginative and effective solutions for building the region's pool of manufacturing talent.

PRIME was also selected as a 2014 Manufacturing Leadership Award winner. The Manufacturing Leadership Awards program honors companies and individuals that are shaping the future of global manufacturing. The Industry Advocacy Leadership Award will be presented at the Manufacturing Leadership Summit and the ML Awards Gala, which takes place June 3 to 5 at The Breakers Resort in Palm Beach, Fla.

"The future of the manufacturing industry depends on supporting multiple educational pathways to encourage young people to pursue advanced manufacturing and STEM-related careers," said Pam Hurt, senior manager at the SME Education Foundation. "The Foundation is honored to be recognized for our PRIME initiative. This program is helping create a pipeline of talented workers to support the industry."

The advanced manufacturing/STEM-based curriculum (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) helps prepare young people for highly skilled jobs in demand by today's manufacturers. Schools receive funding to support postsecondary scholarships, equipment upgrades, STEM-based summer camps for middle school kids and continuing education for instructors.

About the SME Education Foundation
The SME Education Foundation is committed to inspiring, preparing and supporting the next generation of manufacturing engineers and technologists in the advancement of manufacturing education. Created by SME in 1979, the SME Education Foundation has provided more than $33 million since 1980 in grants, scholarships and awards through its partnerships with corporations, organizations, foundations and individual donors. Visit the SME Education Foundation at smeef.org. Also visit CareerMe.org for information on advanced manufacturing careers and ManufacturingisCool.com, our award-winning website for young people. Follow @mfgeducation on Twitter or on Facebook at facebook.com/SME.Education.Foundation.

About SME
SME connects all those who are passionate about making things that improve our world. As a nonprofit organization, SME has served practitioners, companies, educators, government and communities across the manufacturing spectrum for more than 80 years. Through its strategic areas of events, media, membership, training and development, and the SME Education Foundation, SME is uniquely dedicated to advancing manufacturing by addressing both knowledge and skill needs for the industry. Follow @sme_mfg on Twitter or facebook.com/smemfg.

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