On August 15, 2019, the American Mold Builders Association (AMBA) awarded $70,000 to the 2019 recipients of the American Mold Manufacturing Advancement Grant (AMMA Grant).

Developed and launched by the AMBA in 2017, the AMMA Grant invests in the advancement of the mold building industry by supporting programs and projects in three primary areas: training, advocacy/industry promotion and research and development. Applicants must be AMBA members that support local workforce development initiatives in their communities relating to one of the primary areas. To date, AMBA has awarded $210,000 in grants in support of members’ workforce development efforts.

Funds awarded this year will support students at all grade levels with a variety of programs, including job shadowing, local competitions, the integration of structured curriculum specific to the skills trade industry, technical training, CNC software, robust CTE (career and technical education) programs, Manufacturing Day activities and more.

Grant recipients this year include the following AMBA members: TK Mold & Engineering Inc. (Romeo, MI), Westminster Tool Inc. (Plainfield, CT), Wepco Plastics (Middlefield, CT), Snider Mold Company Inc. (Mequon, WI), Prodigy Mold & Tool Inc. (Haubstadt, IN), Precision Mold & Machining Services Inc. (Warren, MI), M.R. Mold & Engineering Corporation (Brea, CA), Legacy Precision Molds Inc. (Grandville, MI), Creative Blow Mold Tooling (Lee’s Summit, MO), Century Die Company (Fremont, OH) and Armin Tool & Manufacturing Company (South Elgin, IL).

While the AMMA Grant places great value on community involvement, many AMBA members also feel that it can drive key workforce development efforts. According to Charles Daniels, Chief Financial Officer at Wepco Plastics, Inc., “Receiving the AMMA Grant has been a tremendous opportunity for us to impact our community. This year, we’ll be able to add CNC milling instruction to the local curriculum, advancing student awareness of and interest in our industry through inquiry-driven, manufacturing-focused learning. We’re so thankful for the AMBA and resources like the AMMA Grant, which allow us to continually make a difference.”

In addition to the AMMA Grant, AMBA offers its members access to scholarship funds, recruitment tools, educational outreach contests and skills certification/training tools. “With access to these marketing materials and programs, we hope to support our members in educating the next generation on the many opportunities available through a career in manufacturing,” said AMBA Managing Director Kym Conis.

For more information on the AMMA Grant and other programs available, visit AMBA.org/Resources.