Edmonds College and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) held a press event at the Advanced Manufacturing Skills Center (AMSC) and Washington Aerospace Training & Research (WATR) Center last week to announce the school’s participation in an upcoming pilot program.
Edmonds College is proud to be the only West Coast institution selected to participate in a three-year pilot program designed to enhance the manufacturing workforce. Chosen as one of just 25 institutions nationwide, Edmonds
is part of the Manufacturing Imperative–Workforce Pipeline Challenge (MI WPC) program.
“The manufacturing industry has deep, historical roots in our region and Washington state,” Edmonds President Amit B. Singh said.
Singh highlighted how their campus programs and activities at the Advanced Manufacturing Skills Center (AMSC) at Paine Field have been instrumental in addressing workforce shortages. He expressed gratitude for being among the 25 colleges chosen nationwide and looks forward to collaborating with SME, leveraging their industry knowledge and workforce expertise.
The MI WPC program, initiated in fall 2023 by SME, a nonprofit organization in North America, aims to train over 75,000 individuals across the country for manufacturing jobs. The successful expansion of this workforce is expected to create an economic impact estimated at around $6 billion. The program combines the expertise of SME in various industries and workforce skills with the educational initiatives and advancements of a select group of U.S. Community and technical colleges.
Within the MI WPC initiative, participating colleges will partner with SME to develop innovative approaches for student recruitment and training. Together, they aim to attract new students to STEM fields, align curriculum with industry needs, promote the value of manufacturing and foster partnerships between students and industry.
Edmonds is actively working to diversify its STEM programs to appeal to more female students and challenge stereotypes related to manufacturing and engineering professions. Larry Cluphf, Executive Director of AMSC, highlighted that manufacturing, engineering and other STEM careers are often wrongly perceived as male dominated dirty jobs. The goal is to change this perception and encourage all students interested in exploring opportunities in these fields.
AMSC not only stresses the importance of STEM education but also focuses on personalized career planning for each student. With a limit of ten students per program, AMSC ensures high quality instruction. Students must achieve an 80% passing score for certification but can still earn college credit even if they fall short. The center offers programs with no waiting lists that typically last between 10 to 12 weeks. Approximately 55% of students who complete the program find jobs at Boeing, while the rest end up working for various aerospace companies throughout the nation.
