The American Manufacturing Skills Initiative (AMskills) is sponsoring a summer program for teens and young adults ages 15 – 24 starting on June 13 through July 1st in Pasco, Hernando and Pinellas Counties. This years program will introduce participants to the a variety of hands-on projects in mechatronics, pneumatics, electronics, CNC Machining and others. The highlight will be assembling a Drone and participating in a Drone Flight Demonstration; Ropes Course and manufacturing tours to PharmaWorks and Pall Aerospace.

A special invitation is offered to all children of manufacturing employees. Your children may have heard what your career is and perhaps they want to follow in your footsteps. The AMskills program gives them the chance to experience your world and help them to open their eyes to a career in manufacturing. There is no fee for the program, however donations are requested. Time is running out to register!

To learn more, call Jady Vargas at 727.301.1282 ext. 103.
Register at http://amskillseventregistration.eventbrite.com/ .

“I Am a Woman with a Career in Manufacturing”
FLATE’s NEW “Women in Manufacturing” Video Explores Gender Equality & Diversity in Manufacturing

FLATE, the Florida-based National Science Foundation Regional Center of Excellence, is announcing the release of its recently produced new video highlighting the role of “Women in Manufacturing.” The video is an extension of FLATE’s role in leading initiatives across Florida that enable and empower women/girls to be excited and engaged in STEM and manufacturing. The “Women in Manufacturing” Video explores a hotly debated, but relevant topic on gender equality and diversity in the manufacturing workforce.

The Video is currently posted on FLATE’s YouTube Channel, and is produced through a collaboration with the Scientific League, a Florida-based multi-media production company that promotes STEM and manufacturing.

The all NEW, Women in Manufacturing Video chronicles the journey of women, from the onset of World War I in 1917, when they entered, or were forced to enter the manufacturing workforce, and transports viewers to the present where women are increasingly a steady part of the manufacturing workforce occupying leadership roles in the global manufacturing marketplace. The Video is a journey in time as it provides a historical perspective on the challenges women have faced, continue to address and/or are beginning to dissipate as more women join the manufacturing workforce changing the status quo and face of the manufacturing industry itself. It even journeys into an imaginary timeline in the future, where in 2050 women could potentially represent 50% of the manufacturing workforce.

The Women in Manufacturing video is a captivating projection of the changing face of the manufacturing workforce. It captures the diverse perspectives of women from a dozen companies across Florida who are currently employed in the manufacturing sector. The video features personal accounts of women, from the factory floor right up to the C suite level, who share their views about their journey/pathway into manufacturing. These women provide first-hand perspectives about their experience not only as engineers, but as technicians and administrators and the richness in the diversity of their individual experiences/successes.

Despite the challenges/set-backs, in the United States, more than three million women have proven that it is possible to face the challenges to become successful in the manufacturing industry. The video showcases how women have succeeded and overcome some of these obstacles through sheer hard-work, competence and perseverance. The Video also highlights the benefits and rewarding aspects of being involved in manufacturing. It sheds light on some of the factors that have motivated women for the last 100 years to be a part of the manufacturing workforce, and how women have found fulfilment in the diversity of skills, knowledge and talent they bring to the workplace.

While women have come a long way, the video drives home a key point that there is still a lot of work to be done in the quest for equality in the workforce. Together we can empower the next generation of young women who represent the “I Am a Woman with a Career in Manufacturing” mantra that could end the gender inequality of women in manufacturing in America. To view the Women in Manufacturing video head on over to FLATE’s YouTube Channel at https://youtu.be/rKW7DslaZAs. Later this summer, stay tuned for the DVD version of the Women in Manufacturing video which will include additional interviews and other goodies. You can also access additional resources on FLATE’s websites www.madeinflorida.org and www.fl-ate.org, or contact Dr. Marilyn Barger at barger@fl-ate.org.

"FLATE is a National Science Foundation Regional Center of Excellence, committed to ensuring Florida has a well prepared workforce for advanced and emerging technologies. Created in 2004, FLATE is one of 42 Advanced Technological Education Centers in the United States funded by the National Science Foundation focused on improving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education and training to meet the needs of American advanced technology industries. For more information visit www.fl-ate.org.

In June, through OSHA's cooperative alliances, OSHA and other guest speakers are offering three FREE trainings on the requirements of the new silica standards.  The trainings will also cover respiratory protection and instrumentation for monitoring.

June 3, 2016, there will be training on the 1910.1053, the Respirable Crystalline Silica standard for general industry and maritime, at Florida Safety Council in Tampa.

June 10, 2016, there will be training on the 19260.1153, the Respirable Crystalline Silica standard for construction, at the ABC location in Tampa.

June 24, 2016, there will be training on the 1910.1053 and 1926.1153, Respirable Crystalline Silica standards for general industry, and maritime and construction at the United Safety Council in Orlando.

Also, June 27 through July 1, 2016, Region IV is holding their Heat Illness Prevention Stand-down. We ask employers to take some time to talk to their employees to raise their awareness of heat illnesses and their prevention.   Through OSHA’s alliance with AGC in Georgia, you may register any event you will be hosting at this link, http://www.agcga.org/web/Safety/2016_Heat_Illness_Safety_Stand_Down.aspx.

As a reminder, June 1, 2016 is the deadline under the revised hazard communication standard for all employers to, as necessary, update any alternative workplace labeling, updated their hazard communication program, and provide any additional employee training for any  newly identified physical or health hazards.

Contact: Joan M. Spencer
Compliance Assistance Specialist
U.S. DOL - OSHA
5807 Breckenridge Parkway, Suite A
Tampa, Florida 33619
813-626-1177 x 5185
spencer.joan@dol.gov

Please visit www.osha.gov for additional information or follow us:

About the IndustryWeek Best Plants Program

Established in 1990, IndustryWeek's annual salute to outstanding North American manufacturing facilities serves two purposes:

• To recognize plants that are on the leading edge of efforts to increase competitiveness, enhance customer satisfaction, and create stimulating and rewarding work environments.

• To encourage other manufacturing managers and work teams to emulate the honorees by adopting world-class practices, technologies, and improvement strategies.

Read more and complete an application: http://www.industryweek.com/about-industryweek-best-plants-program

HP Inc., which helped define printing technology for paper, is turning to the industry’s next generation: producing three-dimensional objects.

Click here to read the full Industry Week article.

Nominations are open for MAF Manufacturer/Distributor/Supplier/Logistics Business of the Year Awards for 2016. Anyone or entity can nominate a company in Florida for these awards AND companies may self nominate. Please download these three forms to get more information.

• Nomination Form
• Evaluation Criteria
• Organizational Questionnaire

The deadlines are as follows:
• July 29, 2016 is the deadline for nominations
• August 5, 2016 is the deadline for nominated companies to return their company questionnaire (applications)

All nominations, questions and applications should be sent to Jeff Littlejohn, WSource, jml@wsourcegroup.com; 850.363.9644.

There are some new features in the awards program this year.
• The Distributor category has been expanded to suppliers and logistics companies.
• Any company who is, or becomes, an MAF member by July 29, 2016 AND who becomes a finalist in the competition will receive the MAF Seal of Excellence designation. This is a designation the company may use to promote their company and MAF will prominantly display the companies with this designation on the MAF website, along with the Winners of the Year. It is another prestigious designation that will set MAF members who achieve this status apart from other manufacturers in the state. If you have not thought about nominating your company in the past, think about it this year!
• Our new lead judge is Jeff Littlejohn, WSource. His contact information is above.

As always, any RMA member or MAF member is eligible to compete for these awards. This year the awards dinner will be on Wednesday, November 16 in Gainesville, Florida. Finalists are expected to attend. Winners will be announced at the awards dinner and all finalists and judges will be recognized for their achievements.

National Institute for Metalworking Skills and Gene Haas Foundation Announce Scholarships for Young Manufacturing Talent

Program will provide scholarships to high-achieving SkillsUSA students showcasing their skills at the 2016 National Leadership and Skills Conference

NIMS, the precision manufacturing industry’s premier standards and certification body, and the Gene Haas Foundation (GHF), which provides scholarships to schools for students entering technical training programs, are partnering to provide scholarship funds directly to the near-future workforce. The scholarships will be given to select SkillsUSA students, who represent some of the nation’s top young talent in precision machining and metalworking.

The 2016 GHF-NIMS SkillsUSA Scholarship Program will award over $200,000 in scholarship funds to students competing in three manufacturing events at the 52nd annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC) in Louisville, Kentucky June 20-24, 2016. Competitors include high school and college students from all 50 states who have won their state-level competitions in CNC Technician, CNC Milling Specialist and CNC Turning Specialist. Upon their arrival at NLSC, they will be eligible to receive a $1,000 scholarship award recognizing their success. Medalists at each of the three competitions at each level will receive awards in the following amounts: Gold: $4,000; Silver: $3,000; and Bronze: $2,000.

“Recruiting and training a high-quality workforce is critical to sustaining and growing manufacturing in the U.S.,” said Peter Zierhut, vice president, Haas Automation. “Building this workforce begins with providing opportunities for young people to explore careers in manufacturing and gain in-demand, 21st century skills century skills.”

“These students are the future of our industry,” said Jim Wall, executive director, NIMS. “Their skills, experiences, and work ethic will enable our industry to innovate and compete in the global marketplace.”

The GHF-NIMS SkillsUSA Scholarship Program is part of a larger partnership led by GHF and NIMS to help more students prepare for success in precision manufacturing careers by gaining industry-recognized credentials at high schools and colleges. GHF and NIMS have provided more than $1.8 million to schools and students since the program launched in 2014. As a result, more education programs are providing high-quality training and more individuals are gaining the skills and credentials they need for success in the workplace.

About NIMS
NIMS is the developer of quality competency-based skills standards and credentials for jobs in manufacturing and related industries. Through these efforts, NIMS helps build and maintain a globally competitive workforce. www.nimsready.org.

About the Gene Haas Foundation
The Gene Haas Foundation was formed in 1999 to fund the needs of the local community and other deserving charities, at the discretion of its founder, Mr. Gene Haas. On top of the list of priorities of the Gene Haas Foundation is scholarship funding for students to attend colleges that teach machining based skills as well as training for the instructors to teach CNC machining. Additionally GHF supports select manufacturing education programs that inspire and educate young people about careers in manufacturing.

Everyone who works in manufacturing knows that it’s one of the coolest industries to be in right now. Whether you are a seasoned professional or a millennial making an impact, there’s a lot to love about manufacturing. Here are some reasons why.

Contributing To The Economy
The manufacturing industry helps support the global and national economies, as well as individuals and families. In fact, Hytrol reports:
- There are 17.6 million manufacturing jobs across the United States
- For every job held in manufacturing, 2.91 jobs are created in another sector
- Every dollar spent on manufacturing equates to $1.37 contributed to the economy overall
- One in every six jobs in the U.S. is a manufacturing position

Clearly, manufacturing is having a big impact on jobs, livelihoods and the economy. That’s something to be proud of.

Read more of the article by Zachary Smith

TAMPA — The official launch of the Manufacturing Alliance of Hillsborough took place at Tampa Bay Tech High School, one of three high schools that received money last year for new welding equipment. The county commission has appropriated more than $1.3 million over the past two years to furnish industrial equipment for local high schools.

Read more at: www.tbo.com

Five-day hands-on camp with grade-appropriate professional instruction with in-camp support from Florida Advanced Technology Education Center (FLATE)

FLATE's 5-day Summer Robotics Camps use Lego Mindstorm EV3 Robots for high school and middle school students

Web: www.fl-ate.org/projects/camps.html

2016 Summer Camp Information

Dates:
June 20–June 24: Intro EV3 Camp – GIRLS ONLY
June 27–July 1: Intro EV3 Camp – ALL
July 11–July 15: Intermediate* EV3
July 25–July 29: High School Engineering & Tech Camp

Location:
FLATE Robotics Camp
BSSB (Brandon Student Services Bldg 218)
Hillsborough Community College
Brandon Campus
10414 E. Columbus Drive; Tampa, FL 33619

Camp Details:
Monday – Friday / 8:30am – 4pm
Costs: $175 per week for EV3 Camps
$200 per week for High School

For More Information:
Email: camps@fl-ate.org
Phone: (813) 259-6578

Scholarships are available!