Certified Education Centers
Manufacturing firms across the country are finding it increasingly difficult to find, hire, and retain the skilled workers they need. In an effort to assist in work force development, FMA partners with educational institutions and companies across North America in an expanding network of Certified Education Centers. A Certified Education Center (CEC) is recognized by FMA to offer exemplary programs, facilities, and instruction. Along with FMA, these educational institutions are engaged in a mission to interest today's youth in pursuing careers in the metal forming and fabricating industry.
FMA's CECs are offered free training by industry professionals, curriculum support, assistance in securing equipment, and acknowledgment on our Web site and in our publications. Some CECs serve as testing centers for the Precision Sheet Metal Operator (PSMO) Certification exam. In addition, they may host an FMA technical training program annually, and offer specialty training to meet the needs of their local employer base. With nearly 20 centers currently, and more being added each year, the network is growing to serve manufacturers across North America.
FMA Certified Education Center, Austin Polytechnic High School in Chicago, Ill. was featured in early December on a PBS news report. The report focused on the unique program that has been developed at the school to train young people in "real world" skills along with appropriate STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) curriculum which will make them immediately skilled for work in high-tech manufacturing as soon as they graduate, while also laying the groundwork for successful post-secondary studies. |
| School | City, State |
| Advanced Manufacturing Institute | Manhattan, KS |
| Anoka Technical College | Anoka, MN |
| Austin Polytechnical Academy | Chicago, IL |
| British Columbia Institute of Technology | Burnaby, British Columbia |
| College of the Canyons | Santa Clarita, CA |
| EWI / Edison Welding Institute | Columbus, OH |
| Illinois Central College | East Peoria, IL |
| Kalamazoo Valley Community College | Kalamazoo, MI |
| Kirkwood Community College | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| Kwantlen Polytechnic University | Surrey, British Columbia |
| Long Beach City College | Long Beach, CA |
| Moraine Park Technical College | West Bend, WI |
| Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College | Ogden, UT |
| Rock Valley College | Rockford, IL |
| Thomas Nelson Community College | Hampton, VA |
| Triton College | River Grove, IL |
| Waukesha County Technical College | Pewaukee, WI |
"Kirkwood Community College's Industrial Technologies Department worked with FMA to develop an Associate of Applied Science degree program in Precision Sheet Metal Fabrication. FMA and its board provided educational materials, equipment discounts, and donations to make this program a reality. Without their insights, encouragement, and industry connections we may not have accomplished the program's startup. We're giving back to FMA and the industry by providing a model for developing programming that meets the needs of a highly skilled work force. With FMA as our partner, Kirkwood will continue to meet that need now and in the future."
- Phil Thomas, Dean, Industrial Technologies Department, Kirkwood Community College
Don't take our word for how well we facilitate partnerships—read more here!
Other Resources
Fabricators and Manufacturers - How You Can Help... and Benefit!
FMA invites you to mentor your local community college or trade school and help them become an FMA Certified Education Center (CEC). As a CEC, the school may offer welding and/or fabrication training (credit and non-credit) to local manufacturers, and provide hands-on training and demonstrations on equipment commonly found in our members' job shops—welding, press brakes, punch presses, shears, lasers, and waterjet cutting machines. Help build the network of CECs:
- Tell your local community college about FMA's CEC program. An entire campus staff can be covered by an FMA membership for as little as $150!
- Train college instructors on your processes so they can prepare your future work force.
- Collaborate with college administrators on curriculum development that serves the forming and fabricating industry.
For more information, or to become a member of FMA's Certified Education Center program, contact Pat Lee at 888-394-4362, or e-mail Pat Lee.
