According to a new study, Ahead of the Curve: Jobs and Skills for the Future of Manufacturing, the fastest-rising jobs include physical/geoscience technicians, and CNC programmers, who manage the robots that do most of the routine work on assembly lines.
The Society of Manufacturing Engineers or SME Education Foundation inspires, prepares and supports the next generation of manufacturing engineers and technologists through science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) educational opportunities.
"Our student program sheds a new light on manufacturing and the different career pathways available in industry," said Dina Fattom, workforce development program specialist, Society of Manufacturing Engineers. "It's a great opportunity for students to understand different product development models, engineering, and technology being used in a real-world scenario."
For students interested in pursuing STEM careers, the Smart Manufacturing Experience 2018 offers an immersive three-day event that features a hands-on learning experience through its partnership with the SME Education Foundation, Ripple3D, Boston Public Schools, and area universities.
On Tuesday, May 1 and Wednesday, May 2, students ages 16 and older get to test their design skills and learn about the intricacies of manufacturing with Ripple3D's Mars Rover Challenge.
In addition, event registration and exhibition access are free for students interested in participating in the challenge and attending the Smart Manufacturing Experience.
"Our mission is to expand interest in STEM-based education and employment opportunities," Fattom said. "We want to help students as much as we can and inspire them by connecting them with manufacturers. This event will give them an opportunity to interact with college students, mentors, and educators."
Three one-hour long Ripple3D Mars Rover Challenges will start at 9:30 a.m. both days. Teams of five students will design, print and build their Mars Rover to learn how wheel size and shape combine with a gear train to complete two missions:
Mission 1 – Carry a payload over Mars rocky terrain
Mission 2 – Carry a payload over Mars sandy terrain
Schools that are interested in participating in the student event should contact Dina Fattom at dfattom@sme.com or at 313-920-3254.
The Smart Manufacturing Experience 2018, April 30 through May 2, at the Boston Convention Center, is co-sponsored by SME, AMT and founding partners Mazak, The Robert E. Morris Co., and Methods Machine Tools.
