ERIE – The Erie Regional Manufacturer Partnership (ERMP) was awarded an $8,500 dollar grant from the Erie Community Foundation’s Helping Today Fund.
ERMP is mobilizing the community and leading a collaborative approach among manufacturers, educators, workforce development professionals, and other leaders to align efforts to ensure that manufacturing remains a strong contributor to the regional economy.
The ERMP Manufacturing Workforce Summit held on October 1 brought together nearly 200 participants to help shape the workforce action plan going forward. The results of this call to action are instrumental to developing the next steps that will allow ERMP to influence manufacturing for the next few years.
ECF supports the work ERMP has begun. “As evident on Erie Vital Signs, a strong workforce is a key indicator of a vibrant community, and we are excited to see manufacturers come together to address a critical community need,” said Erie Community Foundation President Michael L. Batchelor. “The Erie Community Foundation is proud to support these efforts and look forward to assisting in any way we can in order to strengthen Erie’s workforce.”
The recently awarded grant money will aid ERMP in creating an action plan to sustain the future of manufacturing. “The Erie Community Foundation has recognized the small number of qualified workers available to manufacturers and large numbers of employees reaching retirement,” said George Currie, President and Chair of ERMP, as well as Executive Vice President of Erie Press Systems. “We are so thankful to have such outstanding support from ECF as we continue moving forward.”
The ERMP was formed in 2014 by a group of 20 local manufacturers, that in total employ 9,106 individuals, to develop and implement a plan that will result in the ability to identify, qualify, and recruit individuals for employment and training to meet the skilled workforce needs of member companies and to create greater opportunities for individuals in the community to enter into and advance along manufacturing career pathways. This grassroots effort is led by industry partners to collectively identify needs and champion solutions as it relates to developing a robust pipeline and producing a skilled workforce.
Founding ERMP companies include: American Turned Products, Bliley Technologies/Sunburst, Custom Engineering, Erie Concrete and Steel, Erie Forge & Steel, Erie Press Systems, Erie Strayer, Eriez Magnetics, FMC Technologies, GE Transportation, Industrial Sales & Mfg., Knox Western, Lord Corporation, Machining Concepts, Inc., Maple Donuts, McInnes Rolled Rings, Modern Industries, PSB Industries, Reddog/PHB, and Zurn Industries.
