Richland College in Dallas, TX, was recently named a winner of a 2009 manufacturing camp grant awarded by Amada America, Inc., and Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs (NBT), The Foundation of the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, Intl.
Richland College, which received a $4,700 award, is one of 16 national recipients. The grants are given to not-for-profit organizations and educational institutions that offer overnight or day camp experiences to introduce young people ages 12 to 16 to manufacturing and engineering careers.
"I can think of no enterprise more worthy than one devoted to inspiring the next generation of engineers, builders and manufacturers," said actor, director and producer John Ratzenberger, an NBT founder. "There is an ever-increasing demand for highly skilled professionals who can design, program and operate technology. Creating a skilled workforce in the trades is vital to the future of America, and it all starts with getting young people to take pride in tinkering."
"The purpose of the manufacturing camp grants is to provide a positive, hands-on experience so young people will consider manufacturing as a career option," said Terrence Egan, NBT director. "We're making an investment in the workforce of tomorrow. We need to increase the pool of available, highly skilled workers to achieve a manufacturing renaissance and improve our economy."
The camps target youth at the critical level of secondary education, exposing them to math, science and engineering principles, and giving them opportunities to see the technology being used in industry and the high level of skills that will be required from the workforce.
"These camps provide youth with the exposure to vocational and technical trades that no longer exist in all public education systems," said Egan. "Inspiring youth to consider these trades will have a positive effect on graduation rates, increase the chance for them to earn a living wage and create a more qualified workforce and community development in impoverished areas.
NBT recently launched a text-to-give program that allows people to donate to the organization by simply texting '123' to the number '90999' from their cell phone. Supporters will be prompted to confirm their gift by replying with the word YES. After replying with YES, they will receive a confirmation and the message generates a five dollar donation charged directly to the caller's cell phone bill."
For more information contact:
Nuts and Bolts & Thingamajigs Foundation
805-494-5200
www.nutsandboltsfoundation.org
Mike Webber
Amada America, Inc.
4833 W. Royal Lane
Irving, TX 75063
800-332-2374
Fax: 972-871-9204