Through the Innovation Generation grant CCAT will be able to expand our successful on-going work in STEM education and workforce development programs such as the Young Manufacturers Summer Academy.
Washington, DC and East Hartford, CT (PRWEB) September 09, 2013
The Manufacturing Institute is pleased to announce receipt of a $75,000 Motorola Solutions Foundation grant in partnership with Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc. (CCAT), a non-profit economic development organization with centers of excellence in education and workforce development, manufacturing technology, alternative energy and information technology.
The grant was awarded for the “Supporting a Manufacturing Renaissance” (SMR) initiative as part of the Innovation Generation grant program from the Motorola Solutions Foundation, the charitable arm of Motorola Solutions, Inc.
The grant will fund the expansion of CCAT’s Young Manufacturers Summer Academy, an experiential, hands-on program that introduces students in grades 7-9 to educational and career pathways in today’s manufacturing, along with educator workshops focused on 21st century skills development and STEM achievement. CCAT will also be developing an SMR program toolkit for dissemination through The Manufacturing Institute’s Dream It. Do It. network.
“The Manufacturing Institute is honored to receive the Innovation Generation grant from Motorola Solutions Foundation,” said Jennifer McNelly, president of The Manufacturing Institute. “The success and global competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing depends on our ability to innovate. The manufacturing workforce is the single most important driver of innovation, and we need to ensure a highly-skilled talent pipeline for the next generation of manufacturing leaders.”
Since 2007, the Motorola Solutions Foundation has provided $3.4 million to further STEM education programs, supporting more than 400 school, museum and nonprofit programs across the United States and Canada. The Innovation Generation program awards funds to organizations that foster and support STEM initiatives for teachers and U.S. preschool through university students – especially girls and underrepresented minorities.
SMR uses an innovative approach to STEM learning through authentic experiences that generate true student engagement and build educator capacity to support a rapidly shrinking manufacturing workforce pipeline. The program will provide a 10-day summer program for 50 students and professional development workshops for 40 educators.
“This is an exciting opportunity to work with The Manufacturing Institute to strengthen STEM education in Connecticut and build the skilled workforce to sustain and grow manufacturing in the future,” stated Elliot Ginsberg, president and chief executive officer, CCAT. “Through the Innovation Generation grant CCAT will be able to expand our successful on-going work in STEM education and workforce development programs such as the Young Manufacturers Summer Academy and share best practices with our Dream It. Do It. partners across the country.”
“We are so honored to partner with organizations like The Manufacturing Institute and the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology who are helping to create the world’s future innovators and technology professionals,” said Matt Blakely, director, Motorola Solutions Foundation. “As a company dedicated to helping people be their best in the moments that matter, Motorola Solutions could not be more honored to fund programs such as ‘Supporting a Manufacturing Renaissance’.”
For additional information on the Motorola Solutions Foundation grants programs, visit: responsibility.motorolasolutions.com.
About The Manufacturing Institute
The Manufacturing Institute (the Institute) is the 501(c)(3) affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers. As a non-partisan organization, the Institute is committed to delivering leading-edge information and services to the nation's manufacturers. The Institute is the authority on the attraction, qualification and development of world-class manufacturing talent. For more information, please visit http://www.themanufacturinginstitute.org.
About CCAT
Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc. (CCAT) is a non-profit, economic development organization that leads and partners with industry, academia and government statewide and across the nation to help organizations succeed in today’s global market. Through its specialized centers of excellence in manufacturing technology, education and workforce development, alternative energy and information technology, CCAT provides expertise to research and develop unique solutions that increase efficiencies and boost competitiveness. CCAT is headquartered in East Hartford, Connecticut. For more information, go to http://www.ccat.us.
About Motorola Solutions Foundation
The Motorola Solutions Foundation is the charitable and philanthropic arm of Motorola Solutions. With employees located around the globe, Motorola Solutions seeks to benefit the communities where it operates. The company achieves this by making strategic grants, forging strong community partnerships and fostering innovation. The Motorola Solutions Foundation focuses its funding on public safety, disaster relief, employee programs and education, especially science, technology, engineering and math programming. For more information on Motorola Solutions Corporate and Foundation giving, visit http://www.motorolasolutions.com/giving.