Manufacturers Pledge to Increase Internships to Train Students
08/31/11 - The President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness, in partnership with the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and other business groups, announced today that nearly 50 businesses have pledged to double or increase the number of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) internships they offer to students.“Advanced education and training is becoming increasingly more important to manufacturers. If employees do not have the right training and skills, manufacturers in the United States will fall behind our competitors, harming our economic growth,” said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons. “These manufacturers are to be commended for taking an important step to increase the number of STEM internship opportunities, which is critical to economic growth and job creation.”
The NAM and the Manufacturing Institute have continually advocated for STEM programs and training to build a skilled workforce. In June, President Obama joined the NAM’s Manufacturing Institute and its efforts toward the goal of credentialing 500,000 community college students with skills certifications tailored to the needs of manufacturers.
The list of companies that have committed to increasing their internship opportunities can be found here.