The National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS), a standards and certification body, and the Gene Haas Foundation (GHF), which provides scholarships to schools for students entering technical training programs, are partnering to provide scholarship funds directly to select SkillsUSA students.

The 2015 GHF-NIMS SkillsUSA Scholarship Program will award over $200,000 in scholarship funds to students competing in three manufacturing events at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC) in Louisville, Ky., June 22-26. Competitors include high school and college students from all 50 states who win their state-level competitions in the CNC Technician, CNC Milling Specialist and CNC Turning Specialist categories. Upon arrival at NLSC, they will receive a $1,000 scholarship award recognizing their success. Medalists at each of the three competitions at each level will receive awards in the following amounts: Gold: $4,000; Silver: $3,000; and Bronze: $2,000.

"Attracting and preparing a high-quality workforce is vital to our nation's manufacturing economy," said Peter Zierhut, vice president, Haas Automation Inc., Oxnard, Calif. "We must recognize and tap into the talents of the young people who will drive the future of our businesses."

"These students are the face of our industry," said Jim Wall, executive director, NIMS. "We are not only proud to support their success, but believe their skills and talents will transform our industry as we continue to innovate and compete in the global marketplace."

The GHF-NIMS-SkillsUSA Scholarship Program is part of a larger initiative launched by the partners to help more students prepare for success in precision manufacturing careers by gaining industry-recognized credentials at high schools and colleges. GHF and NIMS have provided more than $450,000 to schools and students since the program launched in 2014.