ALLIANCE FOR WORKING TOGETHER FOUNDATION

The Alliance for Working Together (AWT) was started in 2002 as a small,informal group of manufacturers, who met to discuss topics of interest and best practices among local manufacturers. Finding skilled workers was quickly identified as one of the top challenges for our manufacturers. Promoting rewarding careers in manufacturing became the core mission of the organization. In 2012, the AWT Foundation became a 501-(c)3 non-profit. Since then, the AWT Foundation now has 500+ manufacturing compan... y, community organization, and school members. The AWT Foundation is hard at work to change the overall perception of manufacturing. The group realizes the need for educators, counselors, parents and others to understand the importance of manufacturing as a viable career path. As manufacturing continues to grow fast in Northeast Ohio and the future looks promising, there is still a critical shortage of skilled workers to satisfy growing demand and replace baby-boomers who are approaching retirement. This is going to create a huge hole for employers in the manufacturing/machine trades industry unless future generations enter the field. With the help of our strategic partners, the AWT Foundation has developed several Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)-to-career educational programs. Through these educational and career-centered programs, the AWT Foundation has placed more than 1,000+ students into manufacturing careers and helped over 300 5th and 6th grade students learn about and experience manufacturing careers in local communities. We have facilitated over 1,200 student, teacher, and parent tours of manufacturing facilities. We have been instrumental in access to transportation for manufacturing employees and provide Department of Labor and Ohio Department of Job & Family Services (ODJFS) recognized pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs for manufacturing occupations including: Tool & Die Maker, Mold Maker, Precision Machinist, and Tool Programmer/Numerical Control.More