Kennametal Graduates Inaugural Class of "Young Engineers" in Solon, Ohio; Company Expands Program to Develop Future Workforce

SOLON, Ohio, Dec. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Kennametal Inc. announced today the graduation of 26 Solon High School students from the inaugural class of its Kennametal Foundation "Young Engineers Program" in Ohio.

Kennametal launched the Young Engineers Program in September 2011 in Latrobe, Pennsylvania and this year expanded the program to Solon, Ohio, where the company operates a production facility serving industrial and aerospace customers. The facility is one of four total across the state, employing more than 1,000 people. The program seeks to attract young people to learn first-hand about the rewarding careers available in engineering and advanced manufacturing technology, helping to build the workforce of tomorrow. 

Juniors and seniors from Solon High School participated in a combination of classroom discussions and hands-on projects, with mentoring by leaders from Kennametal's research, development and engineering team.

"We need to shatter the myths about manufacturing in this country, which today is high-tech, highly rewarding and absolutely vital to our nation's economy," said Kennametal Chairman, President and CEO, Carlos Cardoso. "By engaging young people, their parents and teachers to experience today's manufacturing technology first-hand, we are enhancing education and changing perceptions to attract greater interest in the excellent career opportunities we offer. This program serves as our ground game to develop a new generation of skilled professionals we need to keep American manufacturing strong. We'll continue to expand our efforts across the country, and we encourage other leaders in our industry to do the same."

Cardoso, a passionate U.S. manufacturing advocate who also chairs the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation, conceived the grass roots program as a model for manufacturers to revitalize interest in the sector as vital to the future of America and a thriving middle class. He and other Kennametal leaders will join parents, teachers and school administrators to congratulate the Solon High School students as the inaugural Ohio graduates of the program, supported by Kennametal Foundation funding earmarked for technical education.

The Kennametal Foundation focuses on secondary and post-secondary technical education in engineering and manufacturing technologies. The Young Engineers Program is one of a number of initiatives the company has established to address the technical skills gap in manufacturing. Others include:

• Student employment, including internships, cooperative work/study plans and apprenticeship programs;
• Community college and technical school partnerships;
• Tuition assistance;
• U.S. Veterans hiring initiative, including technical skills development; and
• Kennametal Knowledge Center technical training and certification programs extended to employees as well as customers and distributors.

Kennametal Inc. delivers productivity to customers seeking peak performance in demanding environments by providing innovative custom and standard wear-resistant solutions. This proven productivity is enabled through our advanced materials sciences and application knowledge. Our commitment to a sustainable environment provides additional value to our customers. Companies operating in everything from airframes to coal mining, from engines to oil wells and from turbochargers to construction recognize Kennametal for extraordinary contributions to their value chains. In fiscal year 2012, customers bought approximately $3.0 billion of Kennametal products and services – delivered by approximately 13,000 talented employees doing business in more than 60 countries – with more than 50 percent of these revenues coming from outside North America. Visit us at www.kennametal.com.

SOURCE Kennametal Inc.