The Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute (GTMI) continually looks for ways to "stem the tide" on the increased need for highly skilled workers in the manufacturing sector. GTMI has offered numerous programs, including ones for veterans and technical college students who are interested in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields. But a new program seeks to close the circle on the process by bringing together GT students, GT faculty and manufacturers to provide project- and industry-based experiential learning opportunities in manufacturing for top GT undergraduates.

Program leader Tina Guldberg says that the goal now is to identify companies that need talented students and want to "sponsor" a student (scholar). Manufacturing scholars will be selected according to a rigorous application process with input from GTMI, the sponsoring company and GT faculty. Once selected, manufacturing scholars will complete a nine-month (two-semester) paid manufacturing-related project, as well as a three-month manufacturing-related paid summer internship at the sponsor site. The project will be designed by the sponsoring company, in collaboration with GTMI and a GT faculty member, and carried out at GT under the guidance of the faculty member. The internship will be carried out at the company site, with a focus on implementation of project results.

"Companies can, and are encouraged to, support multiple manufacturing scholars," said Guldberg, who is also the director of strategic partnerships for GTMI. "By supporting multiple scholars, companies can accomplish multiple technical projects, while simultaneously attracting more top-performing GT students with a manufacturing background to their organization."

Companies interested in sponsoring a manufacturing scholar should contact:

• Tina Guldberg
  Director of Strategic Partnerships - Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute
  3410 Manufacturing Related Disclipines Complex (MRDC)
  Phone: (404) 385-4950
  E-mail: tina.guldberg@gatech.edu