Our Mission
To keep manufacturing in America vital, the industry needs a workforce that is increasing in numbers and prepared to keep pace with advances in technology. SparkForce has responded to the call with programs designed to fill the pipeline of skilled workers.
Manufacturing camps reach students at a young enough age when their career choices can be influenced, and their education can include the foundational training necessary to excel. SparkForce scholarships assist and support those post-secondary students who have already discovered manufacturing and want to pursue the advanced training needed for industry careers. From its beginning through today, SparkForce has maintained a focus on developing the next generation of manufacturers.
Solving the Skills Gap
Studies predict the skilled labor shortage will worsen over the next decade. If nothing changes, 2 million manufacturing jobs will go unfilled.
Foundation Leadership
SparkForce Board of Directors
Meet the leaders of SparkForce who are dedicated to advancing the mission: to advocate for the growth and sustainability of the North American metal processing, forming, and fabricating industries.
Join Our Board-
Julie MillerChairJointpivot LLC -
Emily HathcoatVice ChairRisk Placement Services -
Meg HamannSecretary and TreasurerPeddinghaus Corp -
Gina BlackImmediate Past ChairCommunity Development Foundation -
Robert St AubinDirector -
Patrick CrowleyDirectorCrowley Capital Management, LLC -
Stephan GirardDirectorPmmi -
Phil G KooimaDirectorKOOIMA AG -
Brad MichaelDirectorAlro Steel -
Ryan SchererDirector -
Colin SerlingDirectorQuality Metal Stamping LLC -
Kimberly WimerDirectorLaser Precision -
Eric BormanFMA AppointedProgressive Metal Manufacturing Co -
Shane HerendeenFMA AppointedMitsubishi Laser / MC Machinery Systems Inc -
Matthew J SharpeFMA AppointedAlltek Energy Systems -
Doug WattsFMA AppointedMetalworking Group
Media Inquiries
For all press inquiries or to do a feature story on SparkForce, please contact us by email at [email protected] or by phone at 888-394-4362.