SME – an organization dedicated to training and developing the manufacturing workforce – is pleased to announce Georgia Institute of Technology as one of its inaugural institutional members. 

Georgia Tech has joined Harper College of Palatine, Illinois, and Grand Valley State University of Allendale, Michigan, as SME’s first institutional members. 

With a predicted skills gap of two million jobs by the year 2025 threatening the American manufacturing industry, SME has launched an Institutional Membership program aimed at providing faculty at academic institutions the opportunity to be better connected to the industry. 

“By taking advantage of this membership, colleges and universities can increase their awareness of manufacturing trends and technologies for their instructors, helping connect students to knowledge, resources and people in manufacturing,” said Thomas Kurfess, PhD, FSME, PE, professor of mechanical engineering at Georgia Tech and 2017 SME president-elect.

An Institutional Membership entitles employees of a college or university to all SME membership benefits, such as networking and career assistance, reduced member pricing for SME trade shows and conferences, access to industry-focused publications, and opportunities for research and certifications. The college or university receives five, one-year memberships for faculty.

"This new offering also creates a greater visibility for the academic institutions within the industry by connecting them to manufacturing professionals of the SME network," said Christopher Wojcik, vice president of SME Membership. "Benefits, such as networking within the academic realm or opportunities for publication in SME's three scholarly, peer-reviewed journals can help institutions gain tenure or exposure within the field."

Additionally, institutional members will have access to career advancement and educational programs available through SME membership.