Building STEM coalitions.

• Author: Maier, Larry
• Position: STEM NEWS: SCIENCE * TECHNOLOGY * ENGINEERING * MATHEMATICS

There has been much dialogue about the shortage of skilled labor and workers with STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

The solution is to build industry led coalitions focused on realistic, achievable, continuously improving goals and actions.

Members of the National Tooling and Machining Association (WMNTMA) in Western Massachusetts faced a severe shortage of skilled labor and were surviving by pirating each other. Several years ago, the WMNTMA partnered with local voc-tech high schools and created not only a renewed awareness of both the importance of manufacturing and increased funding, but also a renewed spirit and excitement for educators.

The broader coalition includes elected state and local officials, educators in the public school systems and community colleges, the National Defense Industrial Association, The National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining, the SME Education Foundation, the Western MA Economic Development Council, and others.

Programs and courses of actions are generally identified by collaborative efforts between the Regional Employment Board and the WMNTMA leadership.

Through media coverage, emails sharing stories, individual outreaches, participation in advisory panels, and more, the local players have created an awareness of the vitality, successes and needs of the industry.

NDIA and SME Ed. Foundation have been key to obtaining Siemens software and new computers at Westfield Vocational High School.

Westfield Vocational High School became the only high school in the country to be awarded software worth $14 million. An additional $50,000 in funding was provided for the acquisition of new computers.

Industry has focused on working with the schools to excite students about STEM careers. This has been accomplished by having a mobile training unit tour local middle...