Manufacturers Council partners with UWF

The Northwest Florida Manufacturers Council (NWFMC) has announced a stronger partnership with the University of West Florida (UWF), one that will immediately bring many benefits to our membership.

The partnership with UWF will provide NWFMC manufacturing members no-cost access to in-depth manufacturing skills training. Examples of the types of training that will be available are Lean Six Sigma, Project Management Professional, and Process Mapping, to name a few. The council is currently working to finalize the course offerings that will provide maximum benefit to members.

The partnership will also provide additional administration and marketing support to the council, allowing the council access to the highly experienced and well respected resources available at UWF. This additional support will allow the Council to reach out more broadly in this region, as well as expand existing and establish new skills training programs for both new and incumbent employees.

The education, training, and administrative alliance with UWF has been created to complement the quality student development programs already established in the regions’ college network and in the manufacturing academy programs recently launched across Northwest Florida.

The Council worked closely with its members and the National Manufacturing Skills Standard Council to implement a formal certification program within our local school system, providing students access to a curriculum specifically designed for achieving success in a manufacturing field. Through funding provided by the State of Florida, managed in partnership with UWF, the Council launched Manufacturing Academies in each of the Council’s 10 school districts. In year one, more than 1,000 middle and high school students in Northwest Florida were enrolled.

“As the manufacturers’ council developed plans to strengthen the future of manufacturing in our region, we set the bar high,” said Ed Phelan, VP Operations for Maritech Machine and NWFMC chairman. “The retirement rate of our current manufacturing workforce is frightening. We recognized how critically important a world-class skilled workforce development program is to our future. Manufacturing today is very different from manufacturing a generation ago. It will take a concerted effort from both manufacturers and educators to show students, parents, and the many communities in our region that manufacturing provides high- paying careers for those willing to gain the skills required for a high-tech profession.”

Kim Wilmes, President & CEO of Florida’s Great Northwest said, “Manufacturing is a cornerstone of Northwest Florida’s economy with more than 850 manufacturing companies currently in place.”

She added, “Given the region’s infrastructure – physical and human – along with its geographic location, Northwest Florida is positioned for growth in advanced manufacturing. To continue this economic driver in Northwest Florida, we must ensure we have the skilled workforce needed to sustain and grow the industry sector. With this in mind, we are pleased to see the new partnership between NWFMC and UWF. Regional partnerships like this one make Northwest Florida a stronger and more attractive place to do business.”