FABTECH Partners Invest in Workforce Development

•  RUN4MFG 5K raises funds for industry education and scholarships

The future of manufacturing is changing to meet the growing economic and technology innovations—the greatest industry change in more than 100 years. Globally, manufacturing accounts for 12.5 million industry jobs, or 8.5% of today’s U.S. based workforce. Technologies including 3D printing, advanced robotics, and the Internet of Things (IoT), will require specialized training to ensure the workforce of tomorrow has access to the education they need to stay competitive and manage the evolution. These industry technologies alone will grow at a record pace over the next several years:

• The 3D Printing market is predicted to grow to $36B in 2021
• Advanced Robotics spending is predicted to grow to $225B in 2021, with manufacturing, resource industries noted as one of the key categories
• Investment in the Internet of Things (IoT) solutions is predicted to grow to $1.521B in 2021

By 2025, however, it’s predicted that there’ll be two million manufacturing jobs that may go unfilled because there will be a deficit in the number of skilled workers prepared to pick up the work load left by retiring baby boomers, and to answer the call of advanced emerging technologies which will require more specified education.

A shortfall of this magnitude will have a significant impact on the health and welfare of the economy. With this overwhelming need of educated, trained and prepared manufacturers on the horizon, it becomes imperative that the industry identify ways to support STEM education— science, technology, engineering and mathematics – at all levels.

FABTECH’s mission is steeped in solution-based offerings, providing the industry with content and experiences that serve the needs of the metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing industry. With that in mind, FABTECH and its partners, the American Welding Society, the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association International, SME, the Precision Metalforming Association, and the Chemical Coaters Association International, invest in education and scholarships to support the next generation of manufacturers.

The 5th annual RUN4MFG 5K is intended to shed light on the need for skilled workers in the manufacturing industry and to ensure that the industry has a prepared workforce, armed with the education they need to manage the predicted explosive industry growth. The RUN4MFG 5K has raised over $78,000 since the initiative launched in 2013.

“FABTECH is a purpose driven organization, with the needs, goals and ambitions of the industry as our guiding principle,” said John Catalano, SME senior director, FABTECH. “RUN4MFG 5K is our opportunity to give back to the manufacturing community and to support the education needs of our future industry leaders.”

Show support for this important initiative by joining the 3.1-mile run/walk. All proceeds from the 2018 run or walk will benefit nonprofit educational foundations and scholarship programs managed by AWS, FMA, SME, PMA, and CCAI.

The route will take participants through Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park. This event gives attendees an opportunity to network, exchange ideas and meet-up with FABTECH’s other attendees and exhibitors while supporting a worthy cause.

Plan to join the industry:

Date: November 8, 2018
5K Start Time: 7:00 AM  Registration Opens: 6:30 AM
Location: Centennial Olympic Park 265 Park Avenue West, Atlanta, GA 30313
Cost*: $35.00 – Register in advance*$50.00 – after November 2Cost includes FABTECH 2018 RUN4MFG T-shirt

About FABTECH
North America’s largest metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing event heads to the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta in 2018. FABTECH provides a convenient venue where you can meet with world-class suppliers, see the latest industry products and developments, and find the tools to improve productivity and increase profits. The event is made possible by its five co-sponsors, all of whom represent the varied and diverse makeup of the manufacturing industry. They include the American Welding Society, the Chemical Coaters Association International, the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association International, the Precision Metalforming Association and SME. Read more about FABTECH’s co-sponsors here.

Source: FABTECH, SME