As Seen in The New York Times: The Power of Competition-Driven Manufacturing Education

Project MFG’s Clash of Trades competition was recently featured in The New York Times, highlighting how we’re transforming manufacturing education through high-stakes competitions that deliver measurable results.
The article highlights real outcomes—from Yuba College’s championship win led by student Wyatt Curry, who mastered advanced programming weeks ahead of schedule, to Southwestern Illinois College expanding their precision machining program with a new building after their 2022 victory.

As reporter Farah Stockman notes, at a time when manufacturers consistently cite finding capable workers as their top challenge, Project MFG is proving that competition-driven education can boost enrollment, validate technical skills and create direct pathways to rewarding careers.

The feature reinforces what we’ve always believed: skilled trades professionals deserve the same recognition and prestige as any high-skill career—and high-impact competitions are key to making technical education both exciting and effective.
Read the full New York Times article here and discover how you, your school or organization can join the movement that’s rebuilding America’s manufacturing future.