--Raising Awareness About Manufacturing’s Economic Contributions and Excellent Careers –
May 30, 2007, Deerfield Beach, FL – PTG Studios is pleased to announce the selection of The Manufacturing Institute for its innovative, educational television series, Pulse on America. The institute will be featured in a segment on “Manufacturing-- the Backbone of America,” to be seen regionally on CNN Headline News through local cable providers in select markets, as well as nationally on G4TechTV.
The Manufacturing Institute is the research and education arm of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the nation’s largest industrial trade association, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. The institute’s mission is to build intellectual support and raise understanding among policymakers, the media, educators and potential employees about manufacturing’s contributions to the quality of American life, the challenges facing the sector and its excellent, technologically-sophisticated career opportunities.
“We are proud to partner with PTG to raise awareness about manufacturing’s important contributions to America’s economy and the excellent career opportunities it offers,” said Manufacturing Institute President Jerry Jasinowski. “Many Americans aren’t aware that advanced manufacturing is the most important part of the U.S. economy with respect to trade competitiveness, innovation and productivity improvements. The strengths of modern manufacturing underpin our economic and national security and high standard of living,” he said.
“The U.S. manufacturing economy is the largest in the world: producing more products than ever before, employing more than 14 million people and accounting for 12 percent of America’s gross domestic product (GDP),” Jasinowski continued. “Manufacturing accounts for nearly three-fourths of all U.S. industrial research and development, creating innovative products and processes that enhance our quality of life. Manufacturing pays an average of 23 percent more than the average compensation and has a powerful, positive impact on other sectors of the economy, generating an additional $1.37 of economic activity for every dollar of manufactured goods produced,” he said.
“One of the biggest challenges facing advanced manufacturing in America is the growing shortage of skilled, workers for the modern, hi-tech workplace,” according to Jasinowski. “As the baby boomers begin retiring in large numbers in the next few years and technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, the current skills shortages will intensify and manufacturing jobs will become even more plentiful for young people with the right skills and education.
“But U.S. manufacturing has an image problem among young people, who think of it as a dying industry with repetitive, assembly-line work. In fact, we have the strongest manufacturing sector in the world with cutting edge technology and an extraordinary range of challenging and high-paying career opportunities,” Jasinowski said.
“U.S. manufacturers are in the race of their lives for talent, and the country with the best work force is going to be the winner. While students in China, India and other Asian countries with which we compete are strongly encouraged by their parents and educators to study math, science, engineering and technology and to pursue careers in manufacturing, our culture does not celebrate innovation and invention and making things in the same way,” he said.
“The poor quality of our K-12 educational system exacerbates the problem, by failing to provide many students with the strong background in math and science necessary for a job in advanced manufacturing in America. Schools do not provide adequate career counseling, either, so high school students do not know the skill sets they would need for a job in manufacturing,” Jasinowski continued. “Many students also are unaware that a two-year technical or community college is an excellent path to a high-paying and rewarding career in manufacturing.”
The Dream It. Do It. manufacturing careers campaign is The Manufacturing Institute’s unique response to the severe shortage of qualified employees – including skilled technical workers, scientists and engineers -- facing U.S. manufacturers. Dream It. Do It. promotes strong regional partnerships among local business, political, education and civic leaders to encourage more young people to pursue careers in advanced manufacturing while alerting them to educational and training opportunities.
Interest in this innovative careers and economic development campaign is huge, with ongoing Dream It. Do It. campaigns in Nebraska, northeast Ohio (Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Youngstown) and southwest Virginia, and signed contracts for Dream It. Do It. campaigns in central Texas (Dallas-Fort-Worth-Arlington), southeast Indiana and Seattle/Puget Sound.
The Dream It. Do It. pilot program rolled out in Kansas City in early 2005 and has contributed to a 35 percent increase in enrollment in manufacturing-related courses at the local technical college, helped the area acquire a $15 million federal workforce development grant and produced a real increase in positive attitudes about manufacturing careers. For more information, visit National Association of Manufacturers - The Manufacturing Institute or Dream It. Do It..
PTG STUDIOS “Pulse On America” to feature The Manufacturing Institute 
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