TMA Hosts Senator Durbin for Manufacturing Discussion at New Job Training Facility
The Technology & Manufacturing Association of Illinois (TMA) this week hosted U.S. Senator Richard Durbin at their headquarters in Schaumburg. Senator Durbin was given a tour of TMA's new hands-on training facility and classrooms, and was able to interact with TMA manufacturing students, including several from Bethel New Life in Chicago. Following the tour, Durbin met with TMA board members and other TMA members to discuss the state of manufacturing.
Senator Durbin stated, "TMA is a leading voice for manufacturing and I thank Steve Rauschenberger and his team for giving me an inside look at their new training center. These workforce initiatives are helping close the skills gap and are preparing a new generation of workers for good-paying jobs in the manufacturing industry. While the small, local companies TMA represents need a skilled workforce to succeed, they also rely on the Export-Import Bank for access to overseas markets and are struggling as a result of the impasse in Washington. I support continued funding for Ex-Im and hope that in the coming weeks we can overcome the opposition the Bank faces to help these local companies continue to succeed and Illinois manufacturing continue to grow."
"It was really great to have Senator Durbin at our headquarters this week," said TMA Board Chairman Fernando Ortiz, Jr. "It is important that our elected leaders understand not only the challenges we face, but also the successes we continue to achieve." The Senator and TMA members discussed a wide range of issues including the skills gap, job training and retention, federal jobs programs, the federal highway bill reauthorization and TMA's relationships with community colleges and high schools. "I'd like to thank Senator Durbin for his support of manufacturing overall and his support for the EX-Im Bank's reauthorization," stated TMA Government Relations Committee Chair Zach Mottl. "I look forward to working with him in my role on the Commerce Department's Manufacturing Council."
Other attendees included TMA Board Treasurer Aaron Weigel and Board Members Al Panico and Jeff Pope. TMA members present were Mark Glennerster from John Crane, Inc., Curt Snyder from Atlas Tool Works, Inc., and Kathy Amatulli from Pure Metal Recycling along with Edward Coleman with TMA Training Partner Bethel New Life.
About TMA: 8 small manufacturing companies who thought they could better themselves by associating with one another founded TMA in 1925. Through the years, members established programs and services to help their businesses grow and prosper, train their employees, and provide medical and retirement benefits. TMA has grown into an almost 1,000 member not-for-profit organization representing more than 30,000 employees of precision manufacturing and supplier companies throughout Illinois.