Here is the latest newsletter, BAMA Briefing

Pinellas Technical College in Clearwater has announced that they now have an evening CNC Basic Class beginning June 1.  This training can take a machinist with little or no knowledge of running a CNC Machine and educate them to not only run the machines but program them, as well.  They start by teaching students the basic language of G and M codes; students then take the basic code and learn how to put it into lines of information to form a program. From there, they learn to write programs for the CNC mills and CNC lathes.

For more experienced individuals, Pinellas Technical College offers classes in Master Cam that are self-tutorial so a student can move at their own pace.

The CNC Basic Classes are Monday and Wednesdays from 5-9 PM.
First term runs June 1 - July 27; Second term runs Sept. 2 - Oct. 28.

For more information, contact Richard McConnaughey at 727-538-7161 x2062 (Mon or Wed from 6-9PM) or email McConnaugheyR@pcsb.org.

Marnie Schmidt LLC recently partnered with Monin Gourmet Flavorings and would like to recognize them as their newest “Waste Warrior”. A multinational company, Monin identified “information sharing” as key to the success of their business, as well as their superior quality system, which is SQF (Safe Quality Foods) certified. According to SQFI (Safe Quality Foods Institute), “SQF certification assures buyers and customers that food has been produced, processed and handled according to the highest standards.”

To read more...

The Florida Advanced Technological Education Center (FLATE), a National Science Foundation Center of Excellence in high-technology manufacturing, has extended an invitation to any manufacturer who would like to have lunch with a group of educators during their Advanced Manufacturing Careers Institute. The lunch is scheduled for Wednesday, June 10, at Hillsborough Community College, BSSB 206-­208; 10414 E Columbus Dr., Tampa 33619.

Please contact Dr. Marilyn Barger at mbarger@hccfl.edu if you would like to attend.

Congratulations to several member companies listed in the Tampa Bay Times list of Tampa Bay's Top 100 Workplaces Those that made it in the small company list:
13. Monin Gourmet Flavorings
17. Bouchard Insurance
23. Gregory, Sharer & Stuart
27. DITEK Corp
37. Tampa Bay Steel Corp.
48. CBIZ

Read more: Top 100 Places to Work in Tampa Bay

Brookings Advanced Industries Project
What They Are, Where They Are and Why They Matter

Read the full report here.

At a critical moment, this report asserts the special importance to America’s future of what the paper calls America’s “advanced industries” sector. the need for economic renewal in the United States remains urgent. years of disappointing job growth and stagnant incomes for the majority of workers have left the nation shaken and frustrated. at the same time, astonishing new technologies—ranging from advanced robotics and “3-D printing” to the “digitization of everything” are provoking genuine excitement even as they make it hard to see where things are going.

Characterized by its deep involvement with technology research and development (r&d) and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) workers, the sector encompasses 50 industries ranging from manufacturing industries such as auto making and aerospace to energy industries such as oil and gas extraction to high-tech services such as computer software and computer system design, including for health applications.

These industries encompass the nation’s “tech” sector at its broadest and most consequential. their dynamism is going to be a central component of any future revitalized U.S. economy. as such, these industries encompass the country’s best shot at supporting innovative, inclusive, and sustainable growth. For that reason, this report provides a wide-angle overview of the advanced industry sector that reviews its role in American prosperity, assesses key trends, and maps its metropolitan and global competitive standing before outlining high-level strategies to enhance that.

Middleton High School has been honored with the distinction of being named the first public high school in Florida and one of just nine schools in the nation to be certified as a STEM school.

The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Certification is an endorsement of the commitment by faculty and staff at Middleton High School to STEM education through things like; problem-based learning, research and development of products, and students taking ownership of their education.

This is the pilot year of the AdvancED STEM Certifications and is only offered to highly effective institutions that prioritize STEM education as a path to success. Staff at Middleton High School exceeded the requirements to be considered a strong STEM model for the rest of the nation.

Parents can be confident that students in Middleton High School’s STEM program are getting a cutting-edge education in some of the fastest growing fields and preparing students with relevant skills to succeed in the real world.

Through strong community partners, students at Middleton High School maintain a connection to the workforce whether they are planning on going to college or straight to a career after high school.

Finding productive and well trained employees can be a challenge. Find out why hiring a Florida TRADE student is The Smart Choice! The Florida TRADE program has students with the skills you need and the training that applies directly to the jobs that you have available. Are you ready to enhance your current workforce and have insider access to the state's best trained future employees? Contact Florida TRADE today!

Watch a video on why you should hire a Florida TRADE graduate!

www.FLTRADE.org

Manufacturing Leadership Council offers its predictions for the year ahead.
Click here to read the article.

Faced with stagnating wages for most Americans, business, civic, and political leaders across the United States are rediscovering manufacturing as a source of good jobs and lasting economic growth.

In an era of unrivaled global competition, however, revitalizing the U.S. manufacturing sector will require a renewed commitment to public-private-civic partnerships that deliver on the key driver of industrial competitiveness: a highly trained workforce that can use technology to translate basic and applied research and development (R&D) to large-scale commercial innovations.

Read the full report here.