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4 S T U F F • 2 0 2 0 • StuffMadeinMA.com M anufacturers throughout Massachusetts and the United States are facing a new set of challenges and exciting growth opportuni- ties. Given our current COVID-19 situa- tion and Massachusetts's need for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), MassMEP was able to work with over 400 Massachusetts Manufacturing companies like New Balance, True Bounce, Love Pop and many more that had the ability to pivot their operations from making sneak- ers to face masks, basketball backboards to face shields, and cards to face masks and hospital gowns. Massachusetts has been a leader in the state's response to COVID-19 with our ability to use our resources to provide PPE and get our state back up and running safely. The manufacturing industry plays an important role in providing careers in manufacturing and the economic impacts they have on the Commonwealth. MassMEP, in partnership with MassTech Collaborative and a number of other orga- nizations, created a team called the Manufacturing Emergency Response Team to react to these changing conditions. It was critical to pivot quickly not only for the organizations, but for our communi- ties, citizens and ultimately our economic and national safety. The world is changing at such a fast pace that some jobs of the future have not been defined yet. However, manufacturing is an industry that will be around forever. Industry 4.0, the next Industrial Revolution, is changing the manufacturing landscape. From advanced robotics in R&D labs to computer vision in warehouses, technology is making an impact in the manufacturing process. Massachusetts anticipates that the state will have more than 100,000 job openings in manufacturing over the next five years. As such, MassMEP is working on three key initiatives to drive future workers into manufacturing careers. MassMEP's three initiatives to bridge the K-12 Skills Gap: All Made Possible "AMP" – K-12 All Made Possible ("AMP") is an educa- tion and workforce development program established by MassMEP to introduce upcoming generations to the diverse career disciplines and future employment oppor- tunities within the advanced manufactur- ing industry. AMP complies with the Commonwealth's Frameworks for stan- dards-based learning for integration into any 6-10th grade classroom within the Massachusetts public school system. The program's six-week curriculum is delivered in a series of structured classroom mod- ules, field trips, and capstone presenta- tions. Strategic partnerships with local uni- versities and manufacturers enable stu- dents to connect directly with critical seg- ments of the industry's career pathways. AMP will serve as a gateway to talent for Massachusetts's manufacturing communi- ty. MassMEP founded AMP to ensure Massachusetts's next-generation workforce keeps pace with the rapid modernization of our industry amidst a national commit- ment to innovation in advance manufac- turing. For more information, contact Sean Killam, Entrepreneur Programs Director at seank@massmep.org. Manufacturing YOUR Career – High School This resource will assist you in learning about manufacturing careers by connect- ing you with Massachusetts manufacturers. Here you'll find links to their websites, information about their processes and products and the types of outreach they offer to schools and students. They also post potential job opportunities, co-ops, internships, and the right people to contact if you are interested! For more informa- tion, contact Karen Myhaver, Manufacturing YOUR Career Coordinator at karenm@massmep.org MACWIC Credentialing More people with the right skills. The MACWIC Applied Manufacturing Technology Pathway is an advanced manu- facturing certification and credentialing system. Dedicated to supporting manufac- turing growth initiatives, this evaluation process enables employers to match candi- dates with the right competencies for each position – and reduce hiring costs in the process. Hiring a MACWIC certified student means hiring with increased confidence. MassMEP offers the only industry-rec- ognized credentialing system embedded within the Massachusetts Department of Education Vocational High School Machine Tool Technology curriculum guidelines. In addition to high school stu- dents, MassMEP also provides MACWIC credential testing for a wide variety of con- tinuing adult education programs, commu- nity colleges and prisoner re-entry training classes throughout the state. Those MACWIC certified applicants with MACWIC Level 1 Certification also receive pre-apprentice certification from the Mass. Division of Apprentice Standards. For more information, contact Wendy Storm, MACWIC Vocational Coordinator at wendys@massmep.org. Manufacturing in Massachusetts and Creating the Talent for Tomorrow! John Killam President/CEO, Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MassMEP) S