Dearborn’s Ford Partners with Southfield’s SME Education Foundation to Encourage Manufacturing Interest at Romeo High School

Dearborn-based Ford Motor Co. Fund and Ford Next Generation Learning have partnered with the SME Education Foundation in Southfield to offer manufacturing equipment, curriculum, and training to Romeo High School students.
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Students in SME Education Foundation programming
Ford has partnered with the SME Education Foundation to offer manufacturing programming to students at Romeo High School. // Photo courtesy of the SME Education Foundation

Dearborn-based Ford Motor Co. Fund and Ford Next Generation Learning have partnered with the SME Education Foundation in Southfield to offer manufacturing equipment, curriculum, and training to Romeo High School students.

The collaboration was formed through SME’s Partnership Response In Manufacturing Education (PRIME) schools initiative.

“The launch of this partnership marks our continued commitment to expanding future opportunities for students,” says Todd Robinson, superintendent of Romeo Community Schools. “The support we’ve received from our business community and local leaders has been phenomenal, and we’re encouraged by this partnership to better prepare our students and help talented students thrive.”

SME PRIME schools address the manufacturing and engineering talent shortage by partnering with industry to inform and provide modern equipment, tailored curriculum, and hands-on training through high schools across the country. It provides students with experience, knowledge, and skills while allowing companies to support and guide students through mentoring, internships, and job shadowing.

“SME PRIME schools are central to our commitment to inspiring, preparing, and supporting young people,” says Rob Luce, vice president of SME. “We’re proud to now include Romeo High School students in the SME PRIME schools initiative as we continue to expand the program across the country.”

Since 2011, SME PRIME schools have reached more than 50,000 students in 47 communities across 22 states. About 84 percent of graduating students intended to pursue careers in manufacturing, and 60 percent of those students planned to pursue postsecondary education in a field directly related to manufacturing.

SME created its foundation in 1979 and awards scholarships to students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering and technology disciplines related to manufacturing.