Fourteen manufacturing students were awarded scholarships from Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs® (NBT), the foundation of the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International® (FMA). These bright-minded, career-focused individuals are taking the next steps to join the skilled labor workforce. In as little as six months to two years, they will be able to take on the challenges and keep pace by helping the manufacturing sector thrive.

America is facing an unprecedented skilled labor shortage. According to the Department of Labor, the U.S. economy had 7.6 million unfilled jobs, but only 6.5 million people were looking for work as of January 2019 and it is more apparent than ever that our country is suffering because of it.¹

The labor shortage concern is growing among business owners and corporations across the nation. The fear is not enough skilled workers will apply for open positions and will thereby affect the pace of production. The challenges of keeping labor costs economical and overall costs competitive, nationally and globally, are top of mind for manufacturing employers. What can be done? How do we overcome this hurdle that can impact our future?

NBT encourages students to consider manufacturing career paths through youth-based summer manufacturing camps. Scholarships help students pay for tuition costs, consequently enabling them to complete their manufacturing education with less debt. NBT awards scholarships up to $2,500 twice each year for the fall and spring semesters.

NBT recently awarded scholarships to the following students pursuing careers in manufacturing: 

• Tyler Bandle, Slatington, Pa., studying automated manufacturing at Pennsylvania College of Technology 
• Sean Bush, Williamsport, Pa., studying mechatronics technology at Pennsylvania College of Technology  
• Jacob Chastain, Green Bay, Wis., studying manufacturing engineering technology at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College 
• Kyle Dierking, New Albany, Ind., studying mechanical engineering at Indiana University — Purdue University Indianapolis 
• Cinnamon Digan, Mifflinburg, Pa., studying welding engineering and fabrication at Pennsylvania College of Technology  
• Luis Garcia, Berwyn, Ill., studying electrical and electronic system technology at Lincoln College of Technology 
• Taylor Nett, Fond du Lac, Wis., studying welding at Moraine Park Technical College 
• Drew Nordman, Victor, Mont., studying instrument and control technology at Bismarck State College
• Nicole Pomeroy**, Michigan City, Ind., studying mechanical engineering at Valparaiso University 
• John Provenza, Jr., Marysville, Pa., studying automated manufacturing technology at Pennsylvania College of Technology
• Abigail VanDuyne, Orion, Ill., studying mechanical engineering at Iowa State University 
• Jacob VanWormer, Baraboo, Wis., studying metal fabrication at Madison Area Technical College 
• Trey Vela*, Huntsville, Texas, studying mechanical engineering at Texas Tech University 
• Niles Walter**, Chiloquin, Ore., studying advanced manufacturing engineering technology at Klamath Community College 

*U.K. Gupta Family Endowed Scholarship Recipient
**John Grossheim Memorial (OPC) Scholarship Recipient

Since 1990, NBT has awarded more than $1 million in scholarships to over 500 students that will become the next generation of manufacturing professionals. Fall 2020 applications are being accepted through March 31. For more information and to learn how to apply, visit nbtfoundation.org/scholarships. 

¹https://www.forbes.com/sites/sarahchamberlain/2019/08/21/addressing-the-skilled-labor-shortage-in-america/