EASTEC Programs focus on workforce development.

Press Release Summary:



Scheduled for May 14-16, 2013, EASTEC will focus on engaging students, educators, manufacturers, and policymakers to address lack of skilled workers to fill manufacturing jobs. Manufacturing exposition and conference will include keynote panel discussion titled "Challenges and Solutions for a Qualified Workforce Pipeline"; EASTEC Dream It. Do It.™ Manufacturing Student Challenge; and conference tracks solely devoted to workforce development issues.



Original Press Release:



EASTEC Programs Focus on Workforce Development, Closing the Manufacturing Skills Gap



Registration is Open for the Largest Northeast Manufacturing Exposition and Conference



DEARBORN, Mich., – Engaging students, educators, manufacturers and policymakers to address the lack of skilled workers to fill manufacturing jobs will be a major focus of EASTEC, to be held May 14–16, 2013, at the Eastern States Exposition, West Springfield, Mass. EASTEC, presented by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), is the largest manufacturing exposition and conference in the Northeast.



“There’s no denying that manufacturing is experiencing a job crisis, with hundreds and thousands of jobs currently unfilled,” said Kim Farrugia, SME senior show manager. “The good news is we know what works. EASTEC gives us a forum to share that knowledge with those in a position to make change.”



There will be a keynote panel discussion, “Challenges and Solutions for a Qualified Workforce Pipeline,” moderated by Edward Leyden, Ben Franklin Design & Manufacturing Co., on Tuesday, May 14. The EASTEC Dream It. Do It.(tm) Manufacturing Student Challenge will take place on Thursday, May 16. The challenge invites regional high schools to develop a team or individual manufacturing project with oversight by a local manufacturer. The challenge is sponsored by sponsored by Sandvik Coromont US, ThomasNet, Regional Center for Next Generation Manufacturing, Mastercam, United Grinding, SME Education Foundation, Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology and Dream it. Do it.



Conference tracks on Thursday, May 16, will be solely devoted to workforce development issues:



Meeting the Demand Side Need for Skills – One College’s Perspective. Presented by Steven H. Kitchin, vice president, Corporate Education and Training, New England Institute of Technology.



Addressing the Manufacturing Skills Gap Through Active Collaboration. Presented by Ted Bauer, program manager, Workforce Development Program, MassMEP.



Educational Pathways for the Next Generation Manufacturing Workforce: You Belong in Manufacturing! Presented by Dr. Karen Wosczyna-Birch, executive director, Regional Center for Next Generation Manufacturing (RCNGM), College of Technology.



EASTEC features resource centers, keynote speakers, panels and exhibits on multiple industries including aerospace, defense, medical, automotive, commercial machinery, electronics, fabricating, plastics, and many others. More than 500 exhibitors are expected at the 2013 event.



EASTEC 2013 takes place May 14-16 at Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Mass. The event layout is organized in five exhibit categories to help attendees navigate the grounds: Design, Engineering, and Rapid Technologies; Tooling, Workholding and Machining Accessories; Automation, Quality and Process Improvement; Plant, Energy, and Environmental Efficiency; and Precision Manufacturing Equipment and Systems.



EASTEC is held every two years, so don’t miss out! Join us on Twitter @eastec, friend us on Facebook, and join our LinkedIn group to stay up-to-date on EASTEC developments.



Note to Media:

Journalists are invited to attend EASTEC by registering as news media on the EASTEC website.



Visit the SME Media Center for the latest Society news, one-stop access to SME Events, Manufacturing Quicklinks, SME social media sites, SME News Feed and more.



About SME:

The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) is the premier source for manufacturing knowledge, education and networking. Through its many programs, events, activities and online training division, Tooling U, SME connects manufacturing practitioners to each other, to the latest technologies and to the most up-to-date manufacturing processes. SME has members around the world and is supported by a network of chapters and technical communities. A 501(c)3 organization, SME is a leader in manufacturing workforce development issues, working with industry, academic and government partners to support the current and future skilled workforce.



If you have any questions or comments, please contact SME Public Relations at 313.425.3000, email communications@sme.org or fax: 313.425.3403. 

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