NWIRC’s Talent Stream in Action:
Opening Doors to Manufacturing Careers
By Tara Lawrence, NWIRC, Talent Stream Coordinator
For more than two years, NWIRC’s Project Manufacturing Talent Stream has been building bridges between manufacturers, students, and educators across northwest and north central Pennsylvania. Through hands-on programming, career exploration events, and industry-education partnerships, the initiative continues to evolve – creating meaningful connections that inspire the next generation of manufacturing talent – and expanding the regional workforce by identifying individuals in our communities who face barriers to employment.
One of the most promising tools in our efforts include the Certified Manufacturing Associate (CMfgA) online curriculum and credential from Tooling U-SME. This nationally recognized certification is designed for individuals who are new to manufacturing or exploring it as a career option. It offers foundational knowledge in areas like safety, quality, production processes, and maintenance awareness—making it an ideal first step for those not yet ready for more advanced technical training. Over the past year, NWIRC has piloted several programs to offer the online coursework and certification exam at no cost to targeted groups, removing financial barriers and opening new doors, thanks to our PA Manufacturing Training to Career grant.
One of the most exciting pilots this year is the CMfgA cohort at Keystone Charter School in Mercer County. Through a unique partnership, students are working toward the CMfgA credential during their regular class period as part of their semester curriculum. The program blends online learning with in-person instruction, and is enriched by facility tours at regional manufacturing facilities – that provide students a firsthand look at modern manufacturing environments and an opportunity to develop their own relationships with company leaders.
These CMfgA students kicked off the semester with a visit to the Canfield Trades Fair and Mahoning Valley Expo, followed by a field trip to the large MFG Day at Erie’s Bayfront Convention Center – a high-energy event that showcased cutting-edge technologies and career pathways across the region. Throughout the year, they’ll visit local companies, including Jamestown Coatings, Ellwood Crankshaft, Acutec Precision Aerospace, C&J Industries, Joy Cone, and Imperial Systems, among others. These experiences are timed to align with CMfgA lessons, reinforcing concepts like safety, measurement, robotics, and lean manufacturing with real-world context.
By combining foundational technical training with real-world exposure and community support, NWIRC is helping individuals take their first confident step into manufacturing—and giving regional companies access to a more diverse and prepared talent pool.
Side Note: Be sure to check out another one of our Talent Stream initiatives, Manufacturing in Motion.