SME Launches Institutional Membership for College and University Faculty

DEARBORN, Mich., Jan. 25, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With a predicted skills gap of two million jobs by the year 2025 threatening the American manufacturing industry, SME has launched an Institutional Membership program aimed at providing faculty at academic institutions the opportunity to be better connected to the industry.

SME – an organization dedicated to training and developing the manufacturing workforce – understands the importance of preparing the industry's future generation. SME also recognizes the importance of supporting faculty and administrators who are responsible for the upcoming group of professionals, which led to the development of this offering.

"By taking advantage of this membership, colleges and universities can increase their awareness of manufacturing trends and technologies for their instructors, helping connect students to knowledge, resources and people in manufacturing," said Thomas Kurfess, PhD, FSME, PE, professor of mechanical engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology and 2017 SME president-elect.

An Institutional Membership entitles employees of a college or university to all SME membership benefits, such as networking and career assistance, reduced member pricing for SME trade shows and conferences, access to industry-focused publications, and opportunities for research and certifications. The college or university receives five, one-year memberships for faculty.

"This new offering also creates a greater visibility for the academic institutions within the industry by connecting them to manufacturing professionals of the SME network," said Christopher Wojcik, vice president of SME Membership. "Benefits, such as networking within the academic realm or opportunities for publication in SME's three scholarly, peer-reviewed journals can help institutions gain tenure or exposure within the field."

Additionally, institutional members will have access to career advancement and educational programs available through SME membership.

SME's initial institutional members are Georgia Tech in Atlanta (read their story here), Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan (read their story here), and Harper College of Palatine, Illinois (read their story here).

Institutions interested in exploring SME membership can visit sme.org/institutional-membership to learn more or join now.

About SME

SME connects all those who are passionate about making things that improve our world. As a nonprofit organization, SME has served practitioners, companies, educators, government and communities across the manufacturing spectrum for more than 80 years. Through its strategic areas of events, media, membership, training and development, and the SME Education Foundation, SME is uniquely dedicated to the advancement of manufacturing by addressing both knowledge and skills needed for the industry. Learn more at sme.org, follow @SME_MFG on Twitter or facebook.com/SMEmfg.

SOURCE SME

Related Links

http://www.sme.org