The Problem
Despite being the backbone of the U.S. economy, the manufacturing industry is facing a workforce crisis.
Why? Contributing Factors include:
Skilled Labor Shortage
Lack of Awareness and Misperceptions
Untapped Talents Pools
If the worker shortage is not averted, the costs of lost manufacturing production to the U.S. economy, could exceed $1 trillion annually by the end of this decade.
Manufacturing Skilled Workforce Gap
Manufacturing Needs People
Current Vacancies
486,000 employment opportunities in manufacturing as of June 2024, and the number of open positions continues to increase.
Projected Long-Term Vacancies
3.8 million manufacturing positions will need to be filled by 2033 due to retirements and industry growth.
Of those, 1.9 million jobs will potentially remain unfilled due to skills gap and lack of applicants.
Challenges
Labor Shortage
80% of companies say their top challenge is the inability to attract and retain a quality workforce.
Generational Shift
5% of the existing workforce is already beyond retirement age, and an additional 20% will reach retirement age within the next decade.
Outdated Misconceptions
Despite high wages and stable jobs, less than 40% of parents encourage their children to seek manufacturing careers.
Spark the Movement will secure the Foundation’s lasting impact on future generations of manufacturers
Diversified, self-reliant funding moves the mission forward By
- Building operational capacity
- Expanding impact and reach
- Enhancing program offerings
“While the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association (FMA) continues to be our steadfast partner, we recognize that a shift to financial independence will provide stability and is crucial to meeting increasing demand.”
Our Programs
SparkForce Programs
Our programs address the problem by increasing awareness of manufacturing career pathways and introducing youth to job opportunities in their own community.
Attacking the Problem by Building Critical Mass One Young Mind at a Time
Scholarships
- Short term impact – Support students already pursuing technical training and trades education
- Focus on skilled trades and technical careers in manufacturing
- Students become trained, employable, and workforce-ready in 2 to 4 years or less
- 969 Scholarships awarded since program began in 1990
Inclusive Manufacturing Camps
- Immediate impact – Soft and hard skills training for transition aged young adults (16+) with disabilities
- Provide job readiness training and work experiences to expose participants to manufacturing career paths
- Increase employer awareness of an underrepresented talent pool
- 355 Inclusive Manufacturing Camp participants since program began in 2022
“One of our campers has signed up to participate in our True Manufacturing Vocational Training program. After 120 hours of training at BCI Skills Center, he will obtain a permanent full-time job with True Manufacturing. This is a direct result of his experience at True Manufacturing during our camp tour.”
Summer Manufacturing Camps
- Long-term impact – Engage youth (ages 12–16) in STEM and manufacturing career pathways
- Spark interest early when most impressionable and parental influence is strong
- Inspire the next generation to fuel the future workforce
- 25,900+ Summer Manufacturing Camp participants since program began in 2005
Our Impact
Increased Scholarships by 4x
Explosive Growth of Manufacturing Camp Model
2026 SparkForce Manufacturing Camps
Program Impacts
Students
- Explore manufacturing career paths and local job opportunities
- Engage in hands-on experiences with real equipment and advanced technologies
- Connect with employers to learn about salaries and career paths
Schools
- Promote STEM education and CTE curricula to students and their families
- Boost enrollment in skilled trades and manufacturing-related training programs
- Strengthen industry relationships and attract donor support
Manufacturers
- Develop educational partnerships and tap into local talent pipelines
- Recruit future employees, interns, and apprentices
- Showcase manufacturing facilities and cutting-edge technologies to students, parents, and educators
Communities
- Raise awareness of high-paying, in-demand jobs in the area and region
- Keep next generation talent local as graduates build careers in their hometown
- Bolster the local economy by supporting local manufacturers
Our Organization
We Shape the World.
The Fabricators and Manufacturers Association (FMA) brings together thousands of metal fabrication and manufacturing professionals. As the Foundation of FMA, SparkForce is dedicated to attracting, developing, and engaging the next generation—sparking curiosity in manufacturing and encouraging individuals to pursue meaningful, rewarding careers in the field.
By investing in the bright minds of tomorrow, we fuel the future of our industry and build a workforce that will shape the world for generations to come.
Increasing Awareness of Manufacturing Career Pathways for 35 years and Counting
1990
FMA awards its first scholarships to students pursuing manufacturing-related degrees.
1997
The FMA Foundation is incorporated.
2005
The foundation provides grant funding to establish the first Summer Manufacturing Camp at Moraine Park Technical College in Fond du Lac, Wis.
2009
The FMA Foundation acquires Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs (NBT) and assumes its name.
2010
NBT partners with the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship to develop the curriculum provided to Summer Manufacturing Camps.
2011
The New York Times features an NBT-funded all-girls manufacturing camp at Triton College in River Grove, Ill.
2012
FMA president and CEO Ed Youdell co-founds the first National Manufacturing Day.
2013
The foundation holds its first annual golf fundraiser, GOLF4MFG, in Chicago.
2015
The OPC Endowment and Gupta Family Endowment funds award their first scholarships.
2019
The foundation’s programs surpass new records, including:
- More than 100 Summer Manufacturing Camps held in one summer
- More than $1M of camp grant funding awarded (over lifetime of foundation)
- More than $1M awarded in scholarships (over lifetime of foundation)
2019
The foundation confers its first industry awards at the inaugural Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs Awards Gala.
2021
FMA partners with the PMMI Foundation to support co-branded Summer Manufacturing Camps.
2022
The foundation funds two pilot Inclusion Manufacturing Camps in partnership with Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation (MEAF).
2024
The first Building Giants Submarine Manufacturing Camp is held in partnership with the U.S. Navy’s Maritime Industrial Base and the BlueForge Alliance.
2025
Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs becomes SparkForce, The FMA Foundation.
How we put Charitable Giving to Work
Based on audited financials for the 12 months ending Dec. 31, 2024:
| Source of Funds | |
|---|---|
| Contributions | $108,751 |
| Event Revenue | $171,976 |
| Government and Restricted Grants | $986,117 |
| In-Kind Contributions (FMA Support) | $1,437,198 |
| Total Revenue | $2,704,042 |
| Uses of Funds | |
|---|---|
| Program Distributions | $1,035,991 |
| Fundraising Expenses | $414,326 |
| Administration Expenses | $789,947 |
| Other Expenses | $402,193 |
| Total Expenses | $2,651,457 |
Support Us
What will your support do?
Campaign Funds
- Donations to this campaign will be directed to the Foundation’s endowment fund.
- The endowment principal is permanently restricted and can not be spent.
- Only earnings on investments will be used to provide financial support in perpetuity to meet the foundation’s operational needs, fuel program expansion, and sustain our growth.
Campaign Goals
- Raise $1,250,000 by 6/30/2026 to grow the operating endowment
- Diversify our funding sources to ensure long-term sustainability
- Increase funding for operational costs, program expansion, and new program development
- Provide clarity to partners and potential donors of the foundation’s financial position
Your donation will Spark the Movement and help ensure the long-term sustainability of the Foundation
