Partnership with America Makes
Marietta City Schools will be receiving AM technology packages of six Dremel DigiLab 3D45 Advanced Idea Builder 3D Printer bundles with materials and supplies.
Appalachian Ohio Manufacturers’ Coalition is proud to announce a partnership with Marietta City Schools and America Makes, the nation’s leading public-private partnership for additive manufacturing (AM) technology and education, to participate in their recently launched Ohio Secondary Education Additive Manufacturing Training Network (OHAMTN).
The network will provide formal education and training of AM technologies to high school students and their educators to ensure the next generation of Ohio workers are equipped with the skills to fill advanced manufacturing jobs. Initially, 10 high schools statewide, including those in both urban and rural settings and representing public, charter, and career and technical schools are participating in the network. This America Makes Education and Workforce Development (EWD) program was created in collaboration with the Ohio Development Services Agency (OSDA), is funded through the Fiscal Year 2020-21 State of Ohio operations budget.
“Inclusion in this elite program is just the beginning,” said AOMC representative, Linn Yost. “We nominated Marietta City Schools for inclusion because we knew that they would have the biggest impact out of the gate. They already have the framework to hit the ground running with these trainings and the organization to hold events so that these technologies can be shared with other students throughout Southeastern Ohio and the Mid-Ohio Valley.”
Programs like the America Makes’ Ohio Secondary Education Additive Manufacturing Training Network are exactly the types of initiatives that can help significantly expand training opportunities for both Ohio students and educators, and expose students to career opportunities in advanced technologies.
“There’s no question that our state and our nation are facing a significant skilled labor shortage and misalignment of skills and competencies,” said Josh Cramer, America Makes Education & Workforce Development Director. “We need to take action now with K-12 students, with immediate emphasis on focusing on secondary education students and empowering their educators—from teachers to principals and guidance counselors—to help them increase students’ awareness of AM technologies and advanced manufacturing careers. The awareness vacuum around manufacturing career opportunities is an even larger issue than the skills gap. With the creation of the Ohio Secondary Education Additive Manufacturing Training Network, we are building that critically needed additive talent pipeline across the state of Ohio.”
The Ohio Secondary Education Additive Manufacturing Training Network leverages best practices and industry-vetted content/curriculum from America Makes and its membership community; offers industry recognized credentialing and badges; and provides tailored training and coaching to teachers, principals, and counselors. It also includes a middle school toolkit, complete with teacher training, to encourage interest in AM in these students. Each school in the network is also receiving AM technology packages of six Dremel DigiLab 3D45 Advanced Idea Builder 3D Printer bundles with materials and supplies. Additionally, each school will receive support for community engagement activities, open houses, and participation in national AM events.
Delivery of the 3D printers and professional development for teachers at Marietta City Schools will begin in July.
About Appalachian Ohio Manufacturers’ Coalition
The mission of AOMC is to create manufacturer-led solutions in partnership with education, workforce, and economic development that motivate and prepare youth and incumbent workers through skills, training and credentials to enter and advance in manufacturing careers.
Visit aomanufacturers.org to learn more.
About America Makes
America Makes is the nation’s leading public-private partnership for additive manufacturing (AM) technology and education. They are headquartered in Youngstown, OH. Visit americamakes.us to learn more.
About the Ohio Development Services Agency (ODSA)
The Ohio Development Services Agency (ODSA) is a State of Ohio cabinet-level agency established in September 2012 that provide oversight and coordination of economic development in Ohio. The OSDA provides support to entrepreneurs, small businesses, and minority-owned business in Ohio; supports communities in growing their economies, with special attention to the needs of Ohio's Appalachian region. For more information, visit https://development.ohio.gov/.
