New Jersey Students Receive Hands-On Manufacturing Experience at 2015 Young Manufacturers Summer Academy

On Aug 14, 2015

Manufacturer Sandvik Coromant, with its US headquarters in Fair Lawn, teamed up with New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) in Newark and Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) in Branchburg to host the Young Manufacturers Summer Academy (YMSA), which gave local NJ students an inside look and first-hand experience about working in the manufacturing industry.

“Sandvik taught us a lot about the different types of engineering used to help people in need… and I want to be part of that,” said Kyla, a Newark high school sophomore.

The YMSA provided middle and high school level students, interested in STEM, the opportunity to work alongside Sandvik Coromant engineers to gain vital manufacturing skills by experimenting with high-tech manufacturing tools and equipment, sketch isometric drawings and receive a demonstration in machining. Each student will present their creations and experience at the capstone celebration on Aug. 15 at Sandvik Coromant’s North American Headquarters.

In addition to the hands-on experience at Sandvik Coromant, participating students visited additional local companies and schools, including Stryker Corporation, FESTO Didactic Corporation, Weiss-Aug Co, Inc., Raritan Valley Community College and Pascack Hills High School, to learn more about opportunities within the manufacturing industry.

“Sandvik Coromant is committed to helping educate and shape the next generation of workers in order to benefit the future of our industry,” said Klas Forsstrom, President, Sandvik Coromant. “It’s truly gratifying to play a role in the first-ever Young Manufacturers Summer Academy and provide a hands-on experience for these young, upcoming professionals.”

By 2025, The Manufacturing Institute projects that two million open manufacturing positions will go unfilled due to the current skills gap in the industry. Now more than ever, there is a high demand for manufacturing professionals with advanced computer, problem-solving, math and technical skills. In order to help minimize the skills gap and emphasize the importance of career development within the industry, Sandvik Coromant donated $65,000 to the Manufacturing Institute from its 2014 “World’s Largest Coin Mosaic” event to help make YMSA possible.

“The overall goal of the Young Manufacturers Summer Academy is to help close the skills gap issue our industry currently faces,” said Jennifer McNelly, President of The Manufacturing Institute. “Through our STEM-focused initiatives, we are able to provide students with the resources needed for a successful career in the manufacturing industry.”

YMSA is part of the “Dream It. Do It.” (DIDI) network, which conducts nearly 40 programs in more than 35 states. DIDI was created by the Manufacturing Institute in Washington D.C. and is dedicated to changing the perception of the manufacturing industry among young professionals, teachers and parents to inspire students to view manufacturing as a future career choice.

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