Central Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association announces plans for new training facility

The Manufacturers’ Association, the regional industry trade association for manufacturers in central Pennsylvania, announced plans to launch a “Manufacturing Center of Excellence for Apprenticeship and Training” at a new facility.

The new location, located off Board Road in Emigsville, Pa., will expand the group’s industry training and education programs as well as the available training space for its technical and professional skills training. It will also expand the equipment and computer lab where the association hosts its regional apprenticeship program.

Currently, the association trains nearly 2,000 individuals each year and is expecting to dramatically increase that number with its Center of Excellence.

“This investment and expansion to a new facility is the next step in the evolution of our 100+ year old Association and will offer increased training opportunities and support that our manufacturing sector needs,” Association Executive Director Tom Palisin said.

Additionally, the innovative facility will allow for leased office and event space for association members and partners and will also support the association’s youth career programs.

“The nation will be faced with 2.4 million unfilled manufacturing jobs by 2028 due to talent and skill gaps,” Association Board President Adam March, CEO of Ledge, Inc., said. “The investment by the association to increase capacity is vital to the success of the region’s economic growth.”

In addition to equipment donations, in-kind contributions and some funding, the association is pursuing a fundraising campaign, “Manufacturing Your Future – Together,” to assist in underwriting the expansion and remodeling of the new location, which is expected to be finished by the year’s end and opened to the public in early 2021.