FABTECH Expo to Raise Funds for Workshops for Warriors
ATLANTA (PRWEB) September 11, 2014 -- Second FABTECH Expo Cares Charity Campaign to Support American Veterans and Manufacturing Sector
FABTECH today launched a charitable fundraising campaign in connection with the FABTECH 2014 Expo in Atlanta to benefit U.S. military veterans and assist them in obtaining jobs in the manufacturing sector. The 2014 FABTECH Expo Cares campaign seeks to raise funds in support of Workshops for Warriors, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to training, certifying, and placing veterans in manufacturing careers.
FABTECH is North America’s largest metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing event. This year’s show, to be held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta on Nov. 11-13, 2014, is expected to bring together an anticipated 27,000 attendees and 1,400 exhibiting companies.
“The record attendance we expect at FABTECH 2014 in Atlanta indicates that the manufacturing sector in the U.S. today is strong and growing,” said John Catalano, show co-manager at SME. “With more jobs to fill, manufacturing employers are looking for new sources of talent while, at the same time, many former members of our armed forces are looking for work. We are pleased to support Workshops for Warriors at FABTECH this year, an organization that combines these efforts and gives American veterans the skills U.S. manufacturing employers need.”
At no cost to veterans, Workshops for Warriors provides a program of industry-leading training, nationally recognized, and portable credentials. In addition, the organization offers valuable work experience and assists with job placement. Workshops for Warriors has a 100% placement rate for graduates.
“Veterans need and deserve our support as they transition back to civilian life,” said Ana Cláudia Guedes, Executive Vice President at Workshops for Warriors. “What we’ve found is that veterans are an excellent fit for careers in advanced manufacturing because they are self-starters by nature who are driven to succeed and trained to problem-solve. For many, the ability to work with their hands is also a selling point. By providing these veterans with industry-leading training and credentials, we are able to help them into life-sustaining careers that can rebuild American manufacturing. It’s a win-win.”
Guedes continued, “Workshops for Warriors does not receive any government funding so the support of FABTECH and the advanced manufacturing industry is absolutely instrumental to our continued success. We are honored to be the beneficiary of this year’s FABTECH Expo.”
“One of the great features of FABTECH is the sense of community that exists among attendees who have a common interest in promoting the future of American manufacturing,” said Mark Hoper, show co-manager at Fabricators & Manufacturers Association International. “This year’s FABTECH Expo Cares campaign is an extension of that community, offering a unique opportunity to support American veterans and our manufacturing sector here at home. Workshops for Warriors has a waiting list of hundreds of veterans who are hoping to enroll in classes. Together, our donations will expand their ability to meet the demand.”
The FABTECH Expo Cares charity campaign was first launched in Chicago during the 2013 show after a series of deadly storms devastated the city of Washington, IL and other areas of the state. The campaign exceeded its goal, raising more than $21,000 from the manufacturing community for the storm victims.
FABTECH has set up an online donation page through the secure online fundraising site CrowdRise. The link to the donation page is http://www.fabtechexpo.com/fabtechexpocares.
The FABTECH show partners have set a minimum $20,000 fundraising goal and encourage all exhibitors and attendees to contribute.
Donations to Workshops for Warriors through CrowdRise are 100% tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Donors will automatically receive an email receipt that meets IRS requirements.
The five FABTECH co-sponsors represent a wide variety of expertise and include: SME, the American Welding Society (AWS), the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA), the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA), and the Chemical Coaters Association International (CCAI). Together, these associations bring unmatched technical proficiency and industry insight to the 2014 FABTECH expo. Read more about FABTECH’s co-sponsors here.
Beth Oates, SME, +1 313-425-3190, [email protected]
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