The Manufacturing Institute

06/04/2026

Last month in Jacksonville, FL, the fifth annual FAME National Conference drew its largest crowd yet—a testament to the growing demand from employers for FAME-trained talent.

Between the student Manufacturing Core Exercise competition and sessions on topics like building community pipelines and AI, attendees came away with actionable plans and strategies to strengthen their chapters, deepening FAME’s impact nationwide.

Read the full conference recap: https://hubs.li/Q04jPls50

06/02/2026

Balancing the demands of a manufacturing career with caregiving responsibilities can push even the most dedicated professionals to their limits.

Whether you are juggling multiple roles at home and at work or leading efforts to strengthen employee well-being, our upcoming Solution Series will leave you with clear, actionable steps to sustain performance and build a more supportive workplace.

You will:
⭐ Identify the early warning signs of burnout and understand its impact on performance and well-being
⭐ Learn boundary-setting strategies that work in high-demand professional and caregiving environments
⭐ Gain practical tools to manage stress and recover your energy
⭐ Hear real-world perspectives from manufacturing leaders navigating these challenges
⭐ Explore ways to better support colleagues and teams through workplace practices and initiatives

Presented by the Howmet Aerospace Foundation and STEP Ahead, join us for "Preventing Burnout While Caring for Others" on Wednesday, June 17, from 11 AM - 12 PM ET.

Register today: https://hubs.li/Q04jCrBw0

06/01/2026

05/28/2026

We’re proud to announce the inaugural recipients of the FAME Catalyst Grant, a new initiative to seed six new chapters of FAME USA nationwide.

The six new chapters will be located in:

📍 El Cajon, CA - East County EDC
📍 Carrollton, GA (New state!) - Carroll Tomorrow
📍 Lafayette, LA - One Acadiana
📍 Jackson, MS - Hinds County Economic Development Authority
📍 St. Cloud, MN (New state!) - Greater St. Cloud
📍 Abilene, TX - BCMATexas

Through this grant, local economic development organization will build the manufacturing, community college and industry partnerships that make FAME work. The chapters will select their first cohort of students in Spring 2027, growing FAME's national footprint to 52 chapters across 19 states.

This expansion comes at a critical moment. Manufacturers have more than 400,000 open jobs today, a number that could reach 1.9 million unfilled positions by 2033 without action. FAME's earn-and-learn apprenticeship model helps close this gap, providing manufacturers with a pipeline of highly-skilled and professional Advanced Maintenance Technicians.

Read more: https://hubs.ly/Q04jcM5N0

Washington, D.C. – The Manufacturing Institute today announced the inaugural recipients of the FAME Catalyst Grant, which will seed the formation of six new chapters of the Federation for Advanced…

05/22/2026

Heroes Make America is proud to celebrate the graduation of our inaugural Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) cohort at Fort Bragg! 🎉

Through this 7-week program, 7 members of the military community are now prepared to pursue FAA Airframe & Powerplant certification and launch meaningful careers in aerospace manufacturing.

Made possible by the GE Aerospace Foundation and delivered in partnership with Fayetteville Technical Community College, this inaugural cohort is just the beginning. We're building pathways, one graduate at a time.

Congratulations to our graduates! We can't wait to see where you take it from here. 🛫

05/20/2026

What does it look like when a career in manufacturing is guided by a sense of purpose? For Nicole Murphy, Executive Vice President and Head of Pharmaceutical Operations & Technology at Biogen, the answer has taken shape over more than three decades, from her start as an engineer on a chemical plant floor to leading a team that develops medicine supporting Biogen’s portfolio in neurology, immunology and rare disease.

As chair of the 2026 STEP Ahead Awards, she brought that same service-driven philosophy to one of manufacturing's biggest celebrations of leadership.

Read her story: https://hubs.li/Q04hjb9y0

Thank you, Nicole, for your leadership in recognizing this year's STEP Ahead awardees!

Biogen Executive Vice President and Head of Pharmaceutical Operations and Technology Nicole Murphy has spent more than three decades building a career defined by service. As chair of the Manufacturing…

05/14/2026

Manufacturing Day empowers thousands of manufacturers to open their doors every October, demonstrating the reality and future of modern manufacturing careers to their communities. But a standout MFG Day event doesn't happen overnight.

Join us online next Wednesday, May 20, for a peer-driven conversation on planning a successful MFG Day. At this special crossover Solution Series, we'll cover how to build and sustain school and community partnerships, plan an engaging attendee experience, capture event impact and carry the momentum past a single day.

When done right, MFG Day more than just an event. It's the foundation of a talent pipeline that works for your facility for years to come.

Learn more and register: https://hubs.li/Q04f3MlK0

05/07/2026

Michelle Barnhart knows firsthand that disabled workers can thrive in and contribute to manufacturing firms—she is living proof of it.

Not only did manufacturing give her a first shot at a rewarding career as a high school grad, but it gave her another opportunity for success after an injury off the job left her paralyzed.

Today, Michelle is an HR Manager at The Timken Company and a 2026 STEP Ahead Emerging Leader, helping create a stronger, more accessible future for manufacturing.

Read her story: https://hubs.li/Q04fqJ8_0

05/05/2026

Manufacturers, are you making the most of MFG Day?

Manufacturing Day is one of the most powerful tools a manufacturer can use to build community connections, shift perceptions and grow a local talent pipeline—but the impact of a single open door can last far beyond a single day.

At our upcoming Solution Series event, seasoned hosts will share how they make MFG Day work year after year, creating experiences that resonate with students and educators as part of their long-term workforce pipeline development.

You'll walk away with:
✅ Real examples of partnership-building strategies from experienced MFG Day hosts
✅ Actionable planning and logistics insights from manufacturers who have refined their approach
✅ Proven ideas for turning a one-day event into a long-term workforce development asset

Learn more and register: https://hubs.li/Q04f2hCc0