Skills-Gap Scholarship Now Open for Students Enrolled in Manufacturing-Related Programs
SANFORD, FL – As the manufacturing industry faces a future where its recent surge could be hampered by a lack of skilled workers and recent Trump tariff news, one Florida-based company is stepping up to help the cause. CNC Machines has announced it is accepting applications for a $2,500 scholarship for students pursuing a certification, certificate, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree in a manufacturing-related area of study.
CNC Machines—which was recently named to Inc. 5000’s list of 2019’s fastest growing American companies—is a national used CNC machine marketplace that helps manufacturers buy and sell used CNC machines, such as CNC mills and CNC lathes. The company introduced the CNC Machines Manufacturing Scholarship program in 2018 and awarded its first round of scholarships earlier this year. The amount of the award has increased to from $2,000 to $2,500 since then.
Over the past several years, the manufacturing sector has been on a growth track leading to creation of more and more jobs. Yet according to a 2018 report from Deloitte, the lack of qualified talent could cause the U.S. to lose as much as $454 billion in GDP by 2028. In fact, that same research shows that in the U.S., more than 500,000 manufacturing jobs are currently unfilled.
“As American manufacturing continues its resurgence, the focus now needs to turn to aggressively addressing the looming and potentially devastating skills gap. CNC Machines is committed to doing its part and this scholarship, along with other programs we offer, is our way of stepping up to the plate to help the industry grow,” says Curt Doherty, CEO. Curt was recently quoted on the impact of the Trump tariffs in a recent article on Fortune magazine. “We remain headstrong on growing the U.S. manufacturing industry and we are doing what we can to influence the industry and motivate other manufacturing companies to do the same," mentions Mr. Doherty.
To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must submit a 1,000- to 1,300-word essay via CNC Machines’ online form about why they chose to pursue a care in manufacturing; what they think can be done to attract younger generations to the field; as well as include information on their skills, goals, and future plans. Applications are due by January 17 and the winner will be announced on February 3.
This is not the only skills gap-closing endeavor that CNC Machines has introduced. It has also awarded scholarships exclusively to veterans who want to follow the needed training and education to become machinists. The business is also a member of SME—a nonprofit association of professionals, educators, and students committed to promoting and supporting the manufacturing industry.
For more information about the CNC Machines Manufacturing Scholarship and to apply, go to www.cncmachines.com/scholarship.