NIMS, Gene Haas Foundation and Edge Factor have announced a new partnership to provide schools and training centers with cutting edge educational materials to inspire students and provide pathways to advanced manufacturing careers. Through the INSPIRE Grant Program, schools will receive funding towards eduFACTOR memberships, providing them access to an extensive library of cinematic films and TV series; CTE, STEM and event resources; hands-on CNC and 3-D printing; and other interactive activities.
"With 3.5 million manufacturing jobs needing to be filled over the next decade, our economic competitiveness depends on preparing today's students for current and future jobs," said Gene Haas Foundation's Kathy Looman. "eduFACTOR is a resource to help educators and students understand and embrace the skills they need to be successful in advanced manufacturing jobs."
"A recent survey found that only 30% of Americans believe that schools encourage students to pursue manufacturing careers and that only one in three parents encourage their children to consider a career in manufacturing," said a spokesperson. "The resources available in eduFACTOR, which is produced by Edge Factor, will directly address this perception by helping educators make manufacturing careers and technology relevant and exciting to students and their parents."
"Edge Factor believes that everything starts with a good story, which is why we produce story-driven, cinematic films and accompanying resources that educators and business leaders use to inspire students and parents. We are proud to stand beside forward thinking leaders in manufacturing education like the Gene Haas Foundation and NIMS to impact communities and help make these resources available to more schools," said Jeremy Bout, Producer and Host, Edge Factor. Through funding from Gene Haas Foundation, up to 500 schools will receive full access to eduFACTOR.
"The INSPIRE Grant Program will enable more schools to deliver relevant and exciting information and career training to their students," said NIMS Executive Director James Wall.
"By changing the way communities perceive manufacturing, the Edge Factor videos are moving the needle in education and workforce development. Without the Grant, it would not be possible to provide eduFACTOR memberships to schools across my district," said Marlo Loria, CTE Director at Mesa Public Schools.
For more information contact:
NIMS
10565 Fairfax Blvd., Suite 10
Fairfax, VA 22030
703-352-4971
support@nims-skills.org
www.nims-skills.org
www.nimsready.org
Gene Haas Foundation
2800 Sturgis Rd.
Oxnard, CA 93030
805-988-6979
info@ghaasfoundation.org
www.ghaasfoundation.org
Edge Factor
www.edufactor.org