Additions to Program Include Courses in Spanish

CLEVELAND, OH—July 8, 2019—The Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) is adding new courses and different license options to METALFORM EDU, the only online training program specifically designed for workers in the metalforming industry. New offerings include 32 PMA-exclusive courses in Spanish - covering Press Shop Operations, Die Setting and Lockout/Tagout - and two new PMA-exclusive courses on Metal Spinning. All courses include interactive eLearning content, a downloadable study guide, and a graded final assessment. New demonstration videos that make the program easy-to-use for both managers and employees also are available.

PMA launched METALFORM EDU in October 2018, with majority funding provided by the PMA Educational Foundation. This unique online training program helps companies build their own talent pipeline by providing access to the right training, on-demand. Employees in the metalforming industry are using the program to acquire the industry-specific and broad business and professional skills they need to strengthen their own careers and push the industry forward. PMA has developed nearly 30 learning paths with recommended courses for the key jobs and skill sets needed in the metalforming industry, to help companies get started quickly.

"The recruitment, training and retention of workers is our members' top priority, and the expansion of METALFORM EDU reflects our commitment to helping PMA members and our industry recruit and train a high-caliber workforce now and in the future," said PMA President David Klotz.

The program's licensing options include the Metalforming License, which includes all courses developed by PMA specifically for the metalforming industry (each license can be assigned to a single employee); the Full Library License, which provides a single employee access to more than 550 courses, including all courses in the Metalforming License, as well as more than 520 other courses in areas such as math, communications, precision measurement, blueprint reading, quality, safety and more; and, the Spanish Metalforming License, which includes access for a single Spanish-speaking employee to 32 courses developed by PMA.

METALFORM EDU also offers the Occupational Aptitude and Knowledge Assessment, a PMA-exclusive, 60-question multiple-choice test that assesses mechanical aptitude, spatial and mathematical reasoning, measurement, use of communications and information, and the understanding of basic industry knowledge and behaviors of applicants for entry-level training programs or job vacancies.

"Our operators are very impressed with the quality of training provided in METALFORM EDU," said Stephanie Ray, human resources manager at Henderson Stamping & Production Inc., Henderson, TN. "We can see a difference in those who have successfully completed courses."

"METALFORM EDU's content is not only industry-specific, but covers many different subject matters," said Bill Jordan, human resources manager at Larson Tool & Stamping, Attleboro, MA. "Everything from onboarding, press operation, die setting, leadership, hydraulics and pneumatics… I could go on and on."

Learn more about METALFORM EDU on the PMA website or by contacting Stacey Schroeder, PMA's workforce development director, at 216-901-8800 or sschroeder@pma.org.

The Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) is the full-service trade association representing the $137-billion metalforming industry of North America—the industry that creates precision metal products using stamping, fabricating, spinning, slide forming and roll forming technologies, and other value-added processes. Its nearly 800 member companies also include suppliers of equipment, materials and services to the industry. For additional information, visit our website at www.pma.org and follow us on Twitter @PMATalk.