NBT, the foundation of FMA, is proud to announce the publication of its first-ever Program Impact Study report. NBT embarked on the research project earlier this year to evaluate the effectiveness of the foundation’s programs, specifically summer manufacturing camps, in fulfilling NBT’s mission to inspire the next generation workforce to pursue careers in manufacturing. Additionally, the study provides evidence that NBT’s manufacturing camps are successful in creating mutually beneficial partnerships with the schools that host camps and the manufacturing companies that support them.

Under the guidance of independent evaluator Holly Lewandowski, president of Evaluation for Change Inc, NBT collected and analyzed survey data from various individuals and organizations served. Groups of respondents included past and current camp participants, participants’ parents / guardians, camp directors or instructors from host schools, and representatives from manufacturing supporters such as companies that provide sponsorships, plant tours, guest speakers, or material donations to camps in their area.

The report includes the following key findings:

• NBT camps expose middle and early high school youth to manufacturing careers and increase their awareness of educational pathways and manufacturing jobs in their community.
• NBT camps provide a fun, engaging atmosphere for camp participants to learn new skills using manufacturing equipment and learn about courses and programs to continue building on those skills.
• NBT camps provide meaningful benefits to the schools and organizations that host camps and to the local manufacturers that sponsor and support the camps.

“Findings from the impact study validate what we at NBT have known for a while,” said Ed Dernulc, foundation director. “Reaching individuals at the prime ages of 12 to 16 years old and exposing them to manufacturing jobs in their community is key to influencing their future career choices. The results prove to companies and prospective donors that NBT summer manufacturing camps are effective in building a pipeline for their skilled workforce of tomorrow.”

View the full Impact Study report.  Interested in hosting a summer manufacturing camp? The deadline to apply for 2021 camp grant funding is December 1, 2020.