Michigan’s manufacturing industry is a driving force of the state's economy, contributing over $100 billion annually and supporting more than 600,000 jobs. As one of the top manufacturing hubs in the U.S., the need to develop and prepare the next generation of skilled workers is critical. On October 17, 2024, the Great Lakes Bay Regional Manufacturing Annual Meeting brought together education leaders, industry professionals, and workforce development experts to celebrate local achievements and explore strategies for building a brighter future for Michigan manufacturing.
Key Event Highlights:
- Manufacturer Showcase: Attendees networked and explored an exhibitor hall featuring regional manufacturing companies.
- Luncheon and Awards Ceremony: Local leaders in education and manufacturing were recognized for their contributions and successes.
- Keynote Presentation by Jeremy Bout: The event’s highlight was an inspiring keynote from Edge Factor’s Founder, Jeremy Bout, known for his unique ability to ignite passion for manufacturing careers.
Edge Factor & SME PRIME: Empowering Michigan Schools
In collaboration with the Society of Manufacturing Engineers SME PRIME, Edge Factor is proud to support 33 Michigan schools with premium memberships to Edge Factor’s career exploration platform. SME PRIME® (Partnership Response In Manufacturing Education) is the signature program of the SME Education Foundation. Founded in 2011, SME PRIME partners private industry with academia to build custom manufacturing and engineering programs in high schools across the country — providing equipment, curriculum, teacher training and student scholarships along with funding for manufacturing-related extracurricular activities and program sustainability. Pairing their programs with premium access to Edge Factor equips educators and inspires students with thousands of career videos, toolkits, interactive student activities and badges, educator guides with lesson plans, and more. These 33 SME PRIME schools, along with Saginaw Schools, are now offering students access to Edge Factor’s extensive K-12+ library of story-driven career resources. Through the Edge Factor platform, educators can infuse careers into their classes and curriculums and students can explore thousands of career pathways and skills in manufacturing and across every industry.
At the event, SME Education Foundation’s Director of Education Programs, Shelley Wooley and Saginaw Schools’ Career and Technical Education (CTE) Director, Kevin Summey were among the leaders in attendance, underscoring the importance of partnerships like this in shaping Michigan's future workforce.
Jeremy Bout’s Keynote: From the Shop Floor to Storytelling
In his hour long keynote, Jeremy Bout shared how his journey into manufacturing began after high school. He started working as a machinist, learning to program a 5-axis CNC machine that produced precision parts for space exploration and healthcare. As he worked alongside skilled tradespeople, he became inspired by their stories and the incredible work they were doing. This experience sparked his passion for storytelling, and he set out to share the stories of the people he worked with to help young people see the potential of careers in manufacturing.
This passion ultimately led to the creation of Edge Factor, where storytelling meets career exploration, aiming to inspire students to pursue rewarding careers. Jeremy’s keynote left the audience energized, demonstrating how real-world stories can open young minds to the exciting and impactful careers waiting for them in Michigan’s manufacturing industry.
Fullerton Tool: Leaders in Bridging the Skills Gap
Fullerton Tool, a leader in precision manufacturing, sponsored the event and continues to be a driving force in closing the skills gap in Michigan. Their commitment to workforce development and collaboration with educational institutions is helping to prepare the next generation of skilled trades professionals. Fullerton Tool’s dedication to investing in education and training showcases the vital role industry leaders play in building a strong, future-ready manufacturing workforce for Michigan.
“The Edge Factor Team, led by Jeremy Bout are masters in conveying how crucial it is to have close collaboration between industry and education. Their presentation at the Great Lakes Bay Manufacturing Association's annual meeting gave innovative and inspiring ideas in shaping the future of manufacturing in our region, inspiring community members, educators, and manufacturers alike." - Amy Cole, HR & Project Coordinator, Fullerton Tool, GLBMA Board Member
Looking Ahead: Building Michigan’s Future Workforce
The Great Lakes Bay Regional Manufacturing Annual Meeting served as a powerful reminder of how collaboration between education and industry is key to shaping the future of Michigan manufacturing. With 33 SME PRIME schools and Saginaw Schools (and more joining every day) actively using Edge Factor to inspire students to explore, prepare, and connect with their future careers, the path to building a future-ready workforce is becoming clearer every day.
Edge Factor remains committed to empowering students and job seekers with the tools they need to succeed in manufacturing careers. As Michigan’s manufacturing sector continues to grow, we are dedicated to helping build the skilled and dynamic workforce that will keep Michigan thriving for years to come.
About Edge Factor
Edge Factor offers the largest known library of career multimedia, featuring story-driven, age-appropriate content, gamified activities, badges, and tools designed for classrooms, events, homes, and on the go. Each user experiences a personalized journey within the platform, with content tailored to meet and track career, classroom, and workforce development goals. As award-winning storytellers, Edge Factor produces cinematic career content that links storytelling to learning outcomes, inspiring audiences on their purposeful journeys.
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