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News

Scholarship to Promote Tool, Die and Manufacturing

A new scholarship will help to improve the supply of well-trained people with technical skills to work in our region’s tool, die and manufacturing industry. The Ronald J. Cummings Scholarship will support the education of students who plan to pursue certificates or degrees in fields such as mechanical, electrical, technical and precision engineering, machining and CNC programming, mechatronics, or robotics. The scholarship was established with the Crawford Heritage Community Foundation as a memorial for Ronald Cummings, a former owner of Canto Tool Corporation of Meadville.

“It is a priority to build a workforce with skills needed by local manufacturers. Through this scholarship, we will expand our partnership with The NTMA Education Foundation. They have the expertise to review applications and select the best students to receive this award. And, we’re designed to manage the permanent endowment that will provide the money for the scholarship, each and every year, forever,” says Christian Maher, executive director of the community foundation. “We expect to award approximately $400 scholarship from the fund in its first year.”

The NTMA Education Foundation promotes development of our region’s workforce to meet the demands of the tool, die and manufacturing industry. Their primary focus is on educating children and young adults about the skills needed to earn a competitive wage in an industry career. They accomplish this through the acclaimed Robobots program and other career exploration opportunities. The Education Foundation also grants scholarships to students who seek to earn certificates and degrees in technical fields.