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Our country is facing a near-crisis situation in workforce capability and capacity. The negative perceptions around trade careers in manufacturing — from job image to earning potential — have resulted in a rapid decline in US manufacturing workforce and productivity. This decline not only threatens our economic prosperity but poses a real threat to our national security.
The Industrial Base and Sustainment (IBAS) program, headed by the US Department of Defense, has defined and initiated a National Workforce Imperative to urgently and dramatically address this near-crisis situation. IBAS – working in partnership with prominent government, industry trade organizations, manufacturers, educational institutions, educators, and community leaders – is building and driving a movement to help solve this critical Workforce Gap.
Project MFGTM is an organization dedicated to elevating the next generation of highly skilled trade professionals by changing mindsets, fostering community involvement and providing a pathway to teaching the critical skills needed to succeed in modern advanced manufacturing. Project MFG competitions demonstrate problem-solving abilities and technological aptitudes needed to build the next generation of skilled machinists.
Project MFG Competitions are based on the design, manufacturing, assembly, and testing of a “product” which students compete against one another to complete a machining project. The projects are developed by groups of industry, corporate, and nonprofit partners to challenge competitors and showcase world-class skills. Competition projects are judged by a group of subject matter experts and industry partners.
Eligibility:
Competitors must be enrolled in a High School level training program in one of the following areas:
Individuals that are currently employed by a manufacturing-related company and are enrolled in a high school program as noted are eligible.
Individuals that graduate from a high school/program during the competition season are eligible for entire competition season.
For example, competitions begins in October, student graduates in December, the competition series concludes in following May, student is eligible for entire competition.
Students may compete in only one Competition series per school year. Either in the Advanced Manufacturing or National Machining League.
A school may participate in BOTH competition series, however the students competing in the competitions must be different per series.
Schools may submit up to 3 individual competitors for the National Machining League.
Ineligibility:
A graduate or a student currently employed as an instructor/teacher/teaching assistant/adjunct instructor of a trade school/program in ineligible.
An individual only enrolled in a course of study not related to the Project MFG competition training programs listed under the eligibility section does not meet the student eligibility requirement.
Competitors must adhere to the safety requirements of their respective school or location. A list of the minimum safety requirements is provided below. Should any safety questions arise or issues encountered, stop work and seek further guidance from your instructor, site supervisor, or competition coordinator.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
General Rules:
Competitor Requirements:
Disqualification:
Project MFG reserves final authority for all rulings and rules interpretations.
Project MFG will coordinate subject matter experts to evaluate and score competing teams’ projects. Project MFG competitions are referenced to recognized industry skills requirements and certifications. Preparation for, and competing in, Project MFG competitions provides practical experience against these requirements as a means to help accelerate competitors in their industry jobs and in gaining certifications.
The scoring scheme will use a 1 to 10 point scale to score each measurable attribute identified in the project.
The scoring rubric assesses skills identified in the industry certifications and reflects performance against them as comprehensively as possible within the constraints of a controlled competition.
The Project MFG National Machining League challenges students to demonstrate their skills in machining. Skills tested may include (but are not limited to):
Competitors should expect to experience and manage real world situations such as change orders, project delays, & time management challenges.
This is a national competition consisting of 2 rounds of competition:
Qualification Round:
Round 1 is a remote competition that is done at the school using the school’s equipment and takes place in October 18 – November 18 of 2024. The teacher acts as an Honest Broker for this part of the competition. Project MFG sends material, specialized tools, & project documentation to the competing schools. Students complete the project and return the needed documentation to Project MFG.
National Championship:
The top competitors from the qualification round will be invited to attend the National Championship. Qualifying schools will not incur travel or competing costs for the National Championship.
