A check for $20,000 was presented to Austin Polytechnical Academy (APA) by IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show and GIE Media on Friday, Oct. 3, 2014, to help advance the school’s mission of preparing students for manufacturing and engineering careers. The money was raised by the Miles for Manufacturing 5K Run/Walk, sponsored by IMTS and GIE Media, which took place on Wednesday, Sept. 10, during IMTS 2014. Despite cold, rainy conditions, more than 200 people supported the 5K run/walk.

APA is a college and career prep high school with a focus on manufacturing and engineering located on Chicago’s West Side. APA was founded by the Chicago Manufacturing Renaissance

Council in 2007 to educate the next generation of leaders in advanced manufacturing. Students learn about careers in all aspects of the industry, from skilled production and engineering to management and company ownership.

“Along with our partner GIE Media, we are very pleased and proud to be supporting institutions, such as Austin Polytechnical Academy, which are preparing the next generation of manufacturing technology workers as we rebuild American manufacturing over the next decade,” said Peter Eelman, Vice President – Exhibitions & Communications, AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology.

“When we tossed around the idea of starting a 5K, we thought that we’d have a few dozen people run. I never imagined we would have more than 225 people register. We are thrilled to not only bring together the industry, but also to be able to make a contribution to the programs that are the future of the manufacturing industry,” says Mike DiFranco, GIE Media Group Publisher.

“It’s terrific that in the city where IMTS is held, a school like Austin Polytechnical Academy has such a strong program in pre-engineering and manufacturing technology,” said Greg Jones, AMT Vice President – Smartforce Development. “Austin PolyTech has embraced two national education programs and certifications that AMT advocates for, Project Lead The Way and The National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS), which provide students with a strong foundation in principles of engineering, engineering design and computer numerical control (CNC) machining skills, so they are career and workforce-ready upon graduation.”

The check presentation coincided with Manufacturing Day, an annual event during which North American manufacturers open their doors to showcase the potential of modern manufacturing and foster interest in manufacturing careers.

Because the inaugural Miles for Manufacturing 5K Run/Walk was such a success, a second event will be held during The MFG Meeting, March 4-7, 2015, in Orlando, Fla. The proceeds will benefit another institution dedicated to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education to prepare students for a career in the manufacturing technology industry.