The PMMI Education & Training Foundation distributed nearly $100,000 in 2012 to help students and member company employees improve their knowledge and skills, says Charles D. Yuska, president & CEO, PMMI.
“This is an effort that gives back to the packaging and processing industry, ” Yuska says. “But it’s equally accurate to say the Foundation is ‘paying it forward,’ by laying the groundwork for an ever-improving workforce.”
The PMMI Education & Training Foundation raises the funds for scholarships through its biennial Golf Tournament, held in conjunction with PACK EXPO Las Vegas, and through the yearly Packaging Hall of Fame Reception, also a PACK EXPO event.
Funds support three categories of scholarships, Yuska notes:
—Academic scholarships, including those presented as prizes to the top three teams in the Student Packaging Solution Contest at PACK EXPO;
—Travel scholarships for students and educators attending PACK EXPO; and
—Tuition reimbursement for qualified member employee education.
In 2012, PMMI Education & Training Foundation supported travel to PACK EXPO for 170 students and faculty from PMMI partner schools, and helped fund scholarships awarded as prizes in the fourth annual PMMI Student Packaging Solutions Contest (sponsored by B& R Industrial Automation).
Students on each of the top three teams shared the prize money: University of Florida (first place, $4,000); University of Wisconsin–Stout (second place, $2,000); and Cal Poly State University (third place, $1,000). Purdue University at Calumet; Rutgers University; San Jose State University; and Conestoga College also participated in the competition.
PMMI offers PACK EXPO booth space at no charge to all PMMI partner schools. In addition, through the Foundation’s various scholarship and grant programs, PMMI offered nearly $75,000 in scholarships to students at PMMI partner schools.
The breadth of PMMI Education & Training Foundation support extends to the membership, with more than $23,900 distributed to assist PMMI member companies with their continuing education efforts for employees in 2012. The funds benefited 52 employees at 25 PMMI member companies.
PMMI members are encouraged to explore the PMMI Member Employee Tuition Reimbursement Benefit, and there’s additional information for educators and students interested in taking advantage of PMMI scholarship programs under the Education tab at PMMI.org.
