CHAMPION Now! to Drive Interest in Manufacturing Careers with New Initiatives at IMTS 2024

Des Plaines, US – CHAMPION Now! and its founder, Terry M Iverson—a seasoned machine tool professional and well-known manufacturing mentor—have announced an exciting new initiative designed to raise awareness and spark enthusiasm for rewarding careers in manufacturing. This year, CHAMPION Now! is showcasing its innovative offerings at the IMTS 2024 Student Summit, Booth 121002, in the East Building of McCormick Place, Chicago, from September 9-14, 2024.

Key highlights of the work and methodology

Camp CHAMP – Inspiring Future MFG Leaders Through Mentorship
Inspiring Champions in Advanced Manufacturing – Building Prosperity Through Manufacturing, Mentoring, and the Power of Parenting
Finding America’s Greatest Champion – Discover the Path to a Debt-Free Career

Under the leadership of a distinguished Board of Directors, including industry veterans Roy Sweatman, Grady Cope, Jerry Rex, Rodney Grover, Carrie Kurczynski, Paul Wahnish, and Founder Terry M. Iverson, CHAMPION Now! is poised to transform perceptions of manufacturing careers. The organization is committed to offering alternative paths to success for the next generation. Bill Padnos, formerly the Executive Director of the NTMA Foundation, will serve as the Engagement Director, spearheading fundraising efforts nationwide. The program is aimed at actively seeking passionate volunteers from across the country to join its mission.

Introducing Camp CHAMP: A Year-Round Manufacturing Experience

Camp CHAMP is a dynamic, portable program designed to provide an immersive manufacturing experience. Available for rent, lease, or purchase, this turnkey camp invites students to engage with manufacturing beyond the traditional one-day or one-month celebration. Each camp is a half-day event, with sessions held in the morning and afternoon. A select group of 24 middle school students will be invited to participate at a host company or technical college, where they will receive a custom memento shirt featuring sponsor logos. Students will be divided into six groups, each led by a high school CTE (Career and Technical Education) student mentor. This mentorship component not only enhances the camp experience through peer mentorship, but also inspires the next generation of manufacturing leaders and CTE instructors.

At Camp CHAMP, students will rotate through six hands-on stations, where they’ll learn the manufacturing process of creating a wooden pen and pen case:

Pre-machining Inspection of Blanks
Turning the Upper and Lower Segments of the Pen
Milling the Pen Case
Programmable Indexing for Sanding and Staining
Assembling the Pen
Laser Engraving the Student’s Name

Each student leaves with a personalized pen and case, a tangible reminder of their inspiring experience. To further engage students and their parents, the camp offers the book Inspiring Champions in Advanced Manufacturing. This resource encourages meaningful conversations about each child’s potential career path, considering their passions, talents, learning styles, and family resources.

A Dual-Perspective Resource for Parents and Students Inspiring Champions in Advanced Manufacturing is a unique, two-cover book designed to facilitate discussions between parents and students about educational and career choices.

This interactive guide challenges readers to explore the best paths based on:

The youth’s passions and natural talents Preferred learning methods
Financial Considerations
Barriers to traditional career paths
Opportunities through internships and apprenticeships

The book will be available for purchase at the IMTS 2024 Student Summit (Booth 121002), with copies personally autographed by the author. Attendees can look forward to CHAMPION Now! at IMTS 2024 and be part of the movement to inspire the next generation of manufacturing leaders.

Image Source: CHAMPION Now!