© UPI Photo

BY ALEX GANGITANO – 09/10/19 05:00 AM EDT

Ivanka Trump and the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)’s Manufacturing Institute are set to announce a major expansion of a skills training and apprenticeship program created by Toyota Motor North America, according to a copy of an upcoming statement first seen by The Hill.

The announcement will come when the president’s daughter and White House adviser, along with NAM Chief Executive Jay Timmons and Toyota North American Executive Vice President Chris Nielsen, pay a visit to the Alabama Robotics Technology Park. 

Toyota’s Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) program will now be managed by the Manufacturing Institute, the workforce and education partner for NAM.

“The Administration is committed to ensuring inclusive growth and opportunity in our booming economy by creating pathways for all Americans, regardless of age or background, to acquire the skills needed to secure and retain high paying jobs,” Trump said in the statement. “I applaud the Toyota Motor Company and Manufacturing Institute for expanding the FAME program, which will build upon the economic successes we’ve had in the manufacturing industry.”

FAME consists of a two-year industrial degree known as the Advanced Manufacturing Technician program and includes students who are recent high school graduates as well as longtime manufacturing employees.

“FAME has set the standard for industry-driven apprenticeships, and by taking it nationwide, we will open the door to high-paying manufacturing jobs for Americans across the country,” Timmons said in a press release.

“Manufacturers have a half million jobs to fill today, and we’ll have millions more over the coming decade. Our industry is stepping up to be the solution and provide opportunities for Americans to find meaningful careers in a growing and transforming industry,” he added, while also thanking Toyota and the Trump administration. 

Manufacturing Institute Executive Director Carolyn Lee and Michael Lamach, chairman and CEO of Ingersoll Rand and chairman of the board of directors of NAM, will also attend the visit to the industrial park in Alabama.

There were 503,000 open jobs in the manufacturing industry as of June 2019, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The expansion of the skills training program is seen as an effort toward addressing the skills gap in the manufacturing industry.

FAME was established in 2010 and includes about 400 partner companies in 13 states.

“We’re excited to see the Toyota training model embraced by the MI and expanded nationwide and the prospects this will bring in terms of job creation,” Toyota’s Nielsen said in the press release. 

Updated on Sept. 10 at 12:05 p.m.

Posted in Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia and tagged , , , , , , ,