http://www.nacfam.org/ Hej USA!

NACFAM MISSION To increase the productivity of all tiers of US-based
manufacturing by building a network of manufacturers, universities,
and national laboratories to sustain high levels of prosperity and
economic growth by: Enhancing development and deployment of advanced
manufacturing technologies and building an enabled workforce by
establishing national skill standards to allow the placement of labor
with industry needs. NACFAM HISTORY NACFAM is a non-profit 501(c)(3)
organization established in 1989 to enhance the productivity of all
tiers of US based manufacturing by providing leadership in workforce
skills standards development, technology development and deployment,
and partnership building between public and private enterprises.
NACFAM has garnered support from over 500 companies, 18 national
trade associations, 8 national technical education associations, and
250 centers at colleges, universities, federal labs, and
manufacturing extension services. As a membership based organization,
operated by a full time staff and governed by a Board of Directors,
NACFAM offers several services to its members. These services include
the Weekly, a highly informative publication on federal developments
affecting advanced manufacturing technology and workforce issues;
contracted economic research; technology deployment assistance; on-
site consulting for companies to increase productivity by
implementing NACFAM's SkillSytems; grant announcements; federal
funding opportunities; and much more. In its ten-year history NACFAM
has been pivotal in many areas of advanced manufacturing and
workforce development initiatives. NACFAM has won two three-year
Department of Education grants to develop national skill standards
for Advanced Manufacturing Skills (AMS), and Computer Aided Drafting
& Design (CADD) skills, as well as earning the Department of
Education selection for the authorized technology assistance provider
to US States receiving School-to-work funds. In 1996, NACFAM created
SkillSystems, a consulting service for companies and communities, to
help increase productivity. Most recently, NACFAM received a grant
from the National Skills Standards Board, along with the AFL-CIO, to
create the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC), a voluntary
partnership established to nationalize skill standards for
manufacturing. In addition, NACFAM played a pivotal role in the
development of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), and the
Advanced Technology Program (ATP) both overseen by the National
Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). In addition, NACFAM
partnered up with many industry groups to support the development of
the Technology Reinvestment Project (TRP), which has created
widespread benefits for manufacturers of all sizes across the nation.
NACFAM continues its leadership role in advanced manufacturing,
workforce skills development, and technology development and
deployment issues nationwide. Its success in the past has given
NACFAM a solid reputation, which allows for a promising future for
NACFAM and its members.