-Kansas City-based Project MFG Hosts National Championship to Demonstrate America’s Next Generation of Skilled Trade Talent -As the Department of War’s Build Freedom campaign gains national attention with spokesperson Mike Rowe encouraging more Americans to pursue careers in the skilled trades, Project MFG is proving what happens next.

As the national Build Freedom movement works to inspire more Americans to pursue careers in the skilled trades, Project MFG is helping turn that inspiration into careers.

After three days of intense competition showcasing the future of American manufacturing, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, captured the national title and $100,000 grand prize at the Project MFG Advanced Manufacturing National Championship held at Calhoun Community College in Decatur, Alabama.

Project MFG serves as one of the workforce development engines supporting the Department of War's Build Freedom initiative—a national effort to rebuild America's industrial workforce and strengthen the nation's manufacturing capability. While Build Freedom is driving awareness through a national campaign featuring Mike Rowe and other industry leaders, Project MFG provides the hands-on pathway through discovery events, skills competitions, instructor upskilling, scholarships, cash awards and direct connections to careers.

Since launching its first regional competition seven years ago, Project MFG has delivered more than 100 events across all 50 states and six countries, becoming one of the nation's most comprehensive workforce development platforms for the skilled trades. Participation, prize money, industry support and career opportunities have continued to grow year after year. The organization's work is also featured through its YouTube docuseries, Clash of Trades.

"Build Freedom is helping America rediscover the value and importance of skilled trades," said Ray Dick, founder of Project MFG. "Project MFG is where that interest becomes action. We give students the opportunity to develop real-world skills, compete at the highest level, connect directly with employers and begin careers that strengthen both our economy and our national security. This championship proves America's next generation of manufacturers is ready."

This year's competition brought together four elite student teams from across the United States, selected from a nationwide field of 57 competitors representing more than 70 schools. During the three-day championship, students demonstrated advanced skills in additive manufacturing, CNC machining, metrology, robotics, industrial automation and precision manufacturing technologies.

Final Standings

National Champion: Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology (Pennsylvania) — $100,000
Second Place: Wallace State Community College (Alabama) — $50,000
Third Place: Yuba College (California) — $25,000
Fourth Place: Autry Technology Center (Oklahoma) — $10,000
The competition culminated in a real-world automation challenge mirroring today's advanced manufacturing environments. Teams assembled a fully functional blower assembly before integrating it into a robotic automation system. A pre-programmed robotic arm then tested each team's completed product by placing finished assemblies onto a simulated production conveyor.

The championship represents the final stage of a comprehensive workforce development pipeline. Students are introduced to manufacturing through discovery events before advancing through competitions, instructor-led training, industry engagement and direct connections with manufacturing employers. Together, Build Freedom and Project MFG address both the awareness challenge and the workforce pipeline needed to sustain America's industrial base.

The event comes as the U.S. manufacturing industry faces a projected 1.9 million unfilled jobs by 2033. While artificial intelligence continues transforming manufacturing, the competition underscored the growing need for uniquely human skills—including critical thinking, adaptability and complex problem-solving. Modern manufacturing facilities increasingly rely on highly skilled professionals capable of programming, operating, troubleshooting and continuously improving sophisticated automated systems.

Beyond competition, the championship also featured educational panels, instructor development opportunities, sponsor engagement and networking events connecting students directly with manufacturing leaders and workforce development professionals. Industry partners included Mastercam, Mitutoyo, Haas Automation, ZEISS and the Gene Haas Foundation.

About Project MFG

Project MFG develops and delivers hands-on workforce development programs that inspire, train and connect the next generation of skilled trade professionals. Through national manufacturing competitions, instructor upskilling, project-based learning, industry partnerships and career-connected experiences, Project MFG helps address critical workforce shortages across advanced manufacturing, machining, robotics, welding, additive manufacturing, metrology and other industrial trades.

Working alongside the Department of War's Build Freedom initiative, Project MFG provides the pathway from awareness to career—transforming interest in the skilled trades into real-world skills, industry credentials and employment opportunities that strengthen America's manufacturing workforce and industrial base. Learn more at ProjectMFG.com.