FMA partners with Edge Factor to promote manufacturing careers

The Fabricators & Manufacturers Association Intl. (FMA), Rockford, Ill., has announced it is partnering with Edge Factor to provide 12 college campuses nationwide with story-driven media and resources intended to inspire students, boost enrollment for technical education programs, and make classroom learning relevant.

Edge Factor produces films and TV series that tell stories of innovative teams who are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, as their ideas become reality through advanced manufacturing. “Manufacturing is filled with compelling stories, and Edge Factor tells these kinds of stories in a manner that has you on the edge of your seat,” said Ed Youdell, FMA’s president/CEO. Based on these stories, Edge Factor creates interactive resources to raise awareness and teach students about pathways in technical education and advanced manufacturing. For the next 12 months, FMA is providing educators from 12 schools in six different states with memberships to access these resources, called eduFACTOR (www.eduFACTOR.org).

With 2,300+ members, FMA connects leaders and companies to help improve metal forming and fabricating industries. “These industry leaders are facing a major challenge. As their workforce retires, the need to pass on the torch and bring in new, young employees to become tomorrow’s leaders is becoming more and more critical. By empowering schools with eduFACTOR resources that spark interest for students to pursue these careers, FMA is helping to secure their members’ future,” said Jeremy Bout, producer and host of Edge Factor.

“One of our goals at FMA is continually finding new ways to develop our workforce. By equipping our educators with cutting-edge resources that inspire students to pursue amazing careers, we are serving our industry and communities,” said Ann Schneider, FMA’s education and member services specialist.