As an association of member organizations providing awareness, programs and services that continually advance all facets of the automation profession, AF serves as the “Voice of Automation” by providing advocacy and industry-wide strategic analysis and coordination through its member organizations. One of the messages AF spreads on behalf of its member organizations is the importance of the automation profession and the need to develop the next generation of automation professionals. To build momentum and support for its workforce development initiatives—including the promotion of K-12 science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and the Automation Competency Model—AF is working to bring like-minded organizations together to create a stronger “Voice.”

The SME Education Foundation is committed to the educational needs of American youth and inspiring them to excel in STEM education; providing access to rigorous educational opportunities through financial support with awards and scholarships; and funding project-based curricula and activities designed to motivate learning.

Over its 30-year history, the SME Education Foundation has invested $5.3 million in youth programs, helping nearly 20,000 to explore career opportunities in STEM education; granted/funded over $4.7 million in scholarships to students pursuing manufacturing-related careers; and invested $8.5 million in grants to 35 colleges and universities to develop industry-driven curricula.

The SME Education Foundation joined AF as part of their major initiative to change public perception of manufacturing. In today’s economy, in-demand jobs are increasingly high-tech and require STEM skill sets. Everything is dependent on making engineering visible and relevant in the eyes of K-12 students, teachers, counselors and parents.

Nelson Ninin, 2011 Automation Federation chair, said,” I am pleased that the SME Education Foundation has joined the Automation Federation. Our two organizations share a common goal to reach out to our youth about the importance of STEM for their futures. I look forward to the opportunities we can pursue together to achieve this goal.”

Says Khalil Taraman, president, SME Education Foundation, “The SME Education Foundation is aligning  itself with organizations that share its vision for advanced manufacturing careers and the demanding STEM-based education these careers require. AF and SME Education Foundation’s joint resources will help AF promote careers in automation, as well as support the SME Education Foundation’s interest in expanding Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) centers now being established in high schools across the country.”

For more information about AF, the Automation Competency Model and other workforce development initiatives, or about your organization becoming an AF member, visit www.automationfederation.org or contact Mike Marlowe, Automation Federation managing director, at mmarlowe@automationfederation.org.

About the SME Education Foundation
The SME Education Foundation is committed to inspiring, supporting and preparing the next generation of manufacturing engineers and technologies for the advancement of manufacturing education. Created by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) in 1979, the SME Education Foundation has provided more than $31 million since 1980 in grants, scholarships and awards through its partnerships with corporations, organizations, foundations and individual donors. Visit the SME Education Foundation at www.smeef.org. Also visit www.CareerMe.org for information on advanced manufacturing careers, and www.ManufacturingisCool.com, our award-winning website for young people.

About the Automation Federation
The Automation Federation is a global umbrella organization under which member associations and societies engaged in manufacturing and process automation activities can work more effectively to fulfill their missions, advance the science and engineering of automation technologies and applications, and develop the workforce needed to capitalize on the benefits of automation. The Automation Federation is working to become the “Voice of Automation.” For more information about the Automation Federation, visit www.automationfederation.org.