Presidents Challenge

President’s Challenge

As Presidents, Owners, and CEOs of companies in the manufacturing sector we all have a challenge moving forward — staffing our companies so they can thrive well into the future. Not an easy task when the skilled labor shortage is so acute already — and getting more acute each year. But it is a challenge that each of us can tackle directly by influencing how the next generation of workers views our industry. And this is the arena in which Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs, the charitable foundation of FMA is having a positive impact.

I’m asking you to help us continue our work and expand our reach. For 2018, I have again committed to donating $1,500 to Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs and hope we can count on you to match my gift as we work toward raising $50,000 this year.

I believe in the great work our foundation is doing in developing the next generation of manufacturing professionals, and I am requesting your help to expand the assistance we can provide by funding summer manufacturing camps and scholarships.

NBT’s manufacturing camp programs continue to grow as this summer we will support 85 camps, a substantial increase from last year’s 64. The aim of the camps program is simple: to introduce young people to the excitement, challenge and pride of working with their hands and technology so that they will become inspired to pursue careers in manufacturing. Support from fundraisers like the President’s Challenge will help bring NBT’s camp program to more states. Your donation to the President’s Challenge will help fund 10 additional camps next year. NBT scholarships continue to be in high demand, and this year the NBT Board has committed to awarding $75,000 in support of students pursuing manufacturing-related careers. Recent scholarship recipients include future leaders such as:

• Wyatt Martin, Dadeville, Ala., machine shop technology at Central Alabama Community College
• Alfred Hanko, Beaver Dam, Wis., mechanical design technology at Moraine Park Technical College
• Andrew Nix, Elk Grove Village, Ill., precision machining at Harper College

Thank you for supporting these and many other talented students who are committed to becoming the next generation of manufacturing professionals. Your participation in the President’s Challenge will help fund 10 additional scholarships to commendable students in their educational pursuits. I hope you will consider matching my contribution in 2018.

Best Regards,

Ed Youdell

President and CEO