The First SME PRIME Program Supported by the Charles L. Shor Foundation

Southfield, Mich., Dec. 5, 2024 – In the 2025-26 academic year, students at Ludlow High School in Ludlow, Kentucky will have the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge training in advanced manufacturing through SME PRIME®, the signature program of the SME Education Foundation. The Foundation operates as the philanthropic arm of SME, the nonprofit association committed to advancing the widespread adoption of manufacturing technologies and developing North America’s talent and capabilities.

“Through the SME PRIME program, we are providing students with the skills and experiences they need to succeed in the growing field of advanced manufacturing,” said Rob Luce, vice president of the SME Education Foundation. “By partnering with local educators and manufacturers, we are creating pathways that lead directly to rewarding careers, helping to close the skills gap and build a stronger, more resilient workforce for the future.”

SME PRIME (Partnership Response in Manufacturing Education), guided by input from private industry, creates customized manufacturing and engineering programs in high schools nationwide. The program provides essential resources such as equipment, curriculum, teacher training, student scholarships, funding for extracurricular activities, and support for long-term program sustainability. Tailored to meet the needs of local manufacturers, SME PRIME aligns with 40 industry-recognized credentials and certifications. Currently, SME PRIME operates in 111 schools across 23 states, benefiting 10,000 students, with 91% of seniors pursuing manufacturing careers after graduation.

This expansion of SME PRIME in Kentucky is made possible by the generous support of the Charles L. Shor Foundation. "As someone who cares deeply for our future generations, I am thrilled to support the expansion of the SME PRIME program to Ludlow High School," said Charles Shor, chairman of the Charles L. Shor Foundation. "Ludlow holds a very special place in my heart—it’s where I had my primary office and where my father and I did much of our business together."

SME PRIME provides a robust learning experience based on local workforce demands. Currently there are about 481,000 U.S. manufacturing positions unfilled. That shortage will grow to 1.9 million unfilled jobs by 2034. SME PRIME will address this critical shortage in Ludlow by equipping the school with state-of-the-art equipment and a custom curriculum plan in Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing, Metrology and Quality, and Additive Manufacturing. Additional pathways may also include Mechatronics and Robotics, Industrial Maintenance, Machining and Fabrication, and Welding.

“At Ludlow High School, we are proud to be part of the SME PRIME network, which will provide our students with valuable hands-on experience and the opportunity to develop critical skills in advanced manufacturing and engineering,” said Ludlow Independent Schools Superintendent Jason Steffen. “SME PRIME will equip students with the knowledge and training needed to thrive in high-demand careers in our local community. Through SME PRIME we will help to ensure that our students are prepared for the workforce.”

Ludlow High School is the first to receive support for SME PRIME from the Charles L. Shor Foundation, with additional programming expected to expand to more schools soon. “We are honored to partner with the SME Education Foundation on this critical investment into the American Workforce & our children’s future,” said Gerry Otto, CEO of The Charles L. Shor Foundation. “By providing students with access to high-quality education and hands-on experience in advanced manufacturing, we are empowering the next generation of skilled workers and expanding the US Middle Class."

The SME Education Foundation remains committed to expanding these transformative educational opportunities, creating pathways for students to excel in the ever-growing field of manufacturing. For additional information about SME PRIME, please visit the SME Education Foundation.