IMA Education Foundation Presents Scholarship Award to Harper College

- Harper News
- June 22, 2015
- June 22, 2015
The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA) Education Foundation awarded Harper
College $25,000 in scholarship funds for meeting a series of set standards and performing
at a high level of active engagement to foster greater educational opportunities within
the field of manufacturing. Harper College is one of six institutions across the state
that is receiving a scholarship from the IMA Education Foundation this summer.
In 2012, Harper College launched its Advanced Manufacturing program, helping fill
vacant jobs within the Illinois manufacturing sector. The program offers students
industry-endorsed skills certificates, state-of-the-art equipment and facilities,
as well as paid internships with local manufacturers. Harper College offers college
credit to high school students to encourage career paths in manufacturing and provides
a variety of manufacturing courses including maintenance technology, manufacturing
technology and welding technology.
“We are pleased that our Advanced Manufacturing Program met the IMA’s rigorous standards
and earned this important grant,” said Harper College President Dr. Ken Ender. “Given
the shortage of skilled workers in manufacturing, it is critical that we partner with
industry groups to ensure that our local manufacturers have the highly trained workforce
they need to compete in a 21st century global economy.”
“Among the objectives of the IMA Education Foundation is a provision for IMA to provide
scholarship opportunities for deserving students following a pathway of study leading
to a manufacturing career,” said Andrew Faville, chairman, Illinois Manufacturers’
Association; CEO, Falex Corporation. “This scholarship award will assist manufacturing
students with the cost of tuition, books, fees, transportation and childcare services
so students can alleviate some of their financial concerns while focusing on their
education and training.”
“Harper College truly displays all the qualities for which this scholarship program
is intended,” said Sandra Westlund-Deenihan, CEO of Quality Float Works, Inc.; board
of directors of the IMA Education Foundation. “As a local manufacturer who has seen
first-hand the impact of the current skills gap in the workforce, I can attest that
students participating in the educational programs at Harper College are leading the
way in obtaining the training and skills to help fill the gap in the manufacturing
industry.”
Community colleges receiving funding must demonstrate active engagement with the manufacturing
community by meeting certain set standards demonstrating their commitment to education
and training focused on the manufacturing and technology sector.
“The students at Harper College have the potential to ensure our state will continue
to build a strong pipeline for the workforce and fill the skills gap that is facing
our industry,” said Greg Baise, president and CEO, Illinois Manufacturers’ Association.
“We hope to continue broadening participation and working with these institutions
to increase success across the board for students pursuing opportunities in the manufacturing
sector.”
The IMA Education Foundation Board of Directors has endowed an annual scholarship
to six schools this summer and will make a second round of endowments in 2016-2017
to help students for years to come.