SME Education Foundation Partners to Provide Certification in Precision Measurement for High School Career Training

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Aug. 2, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Taking part in the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3) recent Leadership Summit, the SME Education Foundation has announced a partnership with NC3, Snap-on Inc., and the L.S. Starrett Company to provide custom training in precision measurement for schools in the SME PRIME Schools network.

SME PRIME Schools work with industry to tailor technological and manufacturing curricula offerings available to high school students to prepare them for manufacturing career pathways. The network of schools reaches 50,000 students in 46 schools across the country.

The new partnership will make available to participating schools the equipment and tools, curriculum, and teacher training necessary for certification in precision measurement and quality control, as well as student credentials.

"This important partnership will create opportunity for schools, teachers, and especially students through important training and hands on experiences in precision measurement – a skill so necessary for manufacturers," said Roger Tadajewski, executive director of NC3. "We're pleased to partner with Snap-On and Starrett to make this opportunity available to the SME Education Foundation PRIME Schools network." Ira E. Friedman, education manager of Precision Tools for the L. S. Starrett Company, noted that "Precision measurement is the cornerstone of quality in the vast array of products and services many people rely upon each day."

Schools in the SME PRIME Schools network will launch the program this fall. In partnership with manufacturing companies and partners, SME PRIME School teachers from Grand Haven (MI), Central Columbia (PA), Wadsworth (OH), Anna (OH), Romeo (MI) and Worcester Technical High School (MA) schools are already taking part in in the training and certification process.

"Our goal with the SME PRIME Schools initiative is to prepare a qualified, competent, manufacturing workforce that contributes to sustainable communities that attract and retain manufacturers and provides bright young students a future in advanced manufacturing," said Josh Cramer, interim executive director and director of K-12 programs for the SME Education Foundation. "Working with great partners allows us to make those opportunities available."

About SME
For more than 85 years, SME has been committed to promoting manufacturing technology, developing a skilled workforce, and attracting future generations to advance manufacturing. Through events, its media publications, training and development programs, and membership activities, SME connects manufacturing professionals, academia and communities, sharing knowledge and resources to build inspired, educated and prosperous manufacturers and enterprises. The SME Education Foundation attracts, prepares, and enables the next generation of the manufacturing workforce through training and education programs, partnerships with manufacturers, scholarships, and academic partnerships. Learn more about the SME Education Foundation at smeef.org, and follow @mfgeducation on Twitter or facebook.com/SME.Education.Foundation.

About National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3)
NC3 was established to address the need for strong industry partnerships with educational institutions to develop, implement and sustain industry-recognized portable certifications that have strong validation and assessment standards. NC3 is a network of education providers and corporations that supports, advances and validates new and emerging technology skills in the transportation, aviation, Manufacturing, Construction Trades and energy industry sectors. Visit www.nc3.net to review list of industry partners, member educational institutions and certification training offered.

About Snap-on Industrial
Snap-on Industrial is a division of Snap-on Incorporated, a leading global innovator, manufacturer and marketer of tools, diagnostics, equipment, software and service solutions for professional users. Products and services include hand and power tools, tool storage, diagnostics software, information and management systems, shop equipment and other solutions for vehicle dealerships and repair centers, as well as customers in industry, government, agriculture, aviation and natural resources. Products and services are sold through the company's franchisee, company-direct, distribution and Web-based channels. Founded in 1920, Snap-on is a $3.7 billion, S&P 500 Company headquartered in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

About The L.S. Starrett Company
Founded in 1880 and headquartered in Athol, MA U.S.A., The L.S. Starrett Company (www.starrett.com) is a leading global manufacturer of precision measuring tools and gages, optical comparators and vision systems and force and hardness testing solutions. Starrett also manufactures laser measurement systems, custom engineered granite solutions, custom gaging, band saw blades, power tool accessory saw blades, workshop tools and jobsite tools. The Starrett brand is recognized throughout the world for exceptional quality and precision. Skilled personnel, superior products, manufacturing expertise, innovation and excellent service and support have earned Starrett its reputation as the "World's Greatest Toolmakers." Starrett has over 1,600 employees worldwide and annual sales exceeding $200 million. The company has six manufacturing locations in the U.S.A., including facilities in Massachusetts, North Carolina, Georgia, Ohio, Minnesota and California. Starrett also has three international manufacturing facilities. Plants are located in Brazil, Scotland and China, in addition to distribution centers and offices located worldwide.

SOURCE SME Education Foundation

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