Research Triangle Park, NC (16 May 2008) - The Piedmont Triad Partnership of North Carolina has selected the Automation Federation to manage the Advanced Manufacturing Industry Cluster.
Under contract from the Piedmont Triad Partnership (PTP), the Automation Federation will manage a roundtable of manufacturing executives and business leaders to give advanced manufacturing a voice in workforce development efforts in the region. The Advanced Manufacturing Industry Cluster will explore workforce development issues within sector, including education, training and retraining, skill gaps, and workforce development opportunities.
PTP was selected as one of 13 regional areas in the country to be awarded a WIRED (Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development) grant through the U.S. Department of Labor. The $15 million grant, announced in February of 2006, funds the creation of four targeted industry clusters in the region: Advanced Manufacturing, Creative Enterprises/Arts, Health Care, and Logistics/Distribution.
"Through our management of the Advanced Manufacturing Industry Cluster, we'll have the opportunity to bring the recognized expertise of our member organizations and all we have to offer to over 1400 manufacturing companies in the region," said Automation Federation Chairman Steve Huffman. "This initiative furthers our mission to increase awareness about advanced manufacturing and develop the next generation of automation professionals."
"We anticipate great success with the leadership of the Automation Federation," said Theresa Reynolds, WIRED Project Manager. "We hope our region can become a workforce development model for other regions across the country and around the world, and we're confident that the Automation Federation's network of experts can help us achieve our goals."
