Here are a few training opportunities in the U.S., by PMA District:

Southern California
Bazz Houston Co.
This apprenticeship program, modeled after Northern California's apprenticeship program, was active for several years. It has involved a partnership comprised of a central District Committee, a liaison to the State Dept. of Apprenticeship Training, four area community colleges and several area industry partners supported by a consultant. Recently, the district suffered from too few participants enrolled in the related training classes and the program is currently on hold. 

Minnesota
Minneapolis Community & Technical Traiining College
Contact: Joe Fredkove, (612) 341-7000 
The Twin Cities District Education Committee developed a partnership with Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC) to develop and provide Punch Press Operator Training for levels I and II. MCTC received a $90,000 grant to help establish the program under "welfare-to-work" state funding and a PMAEF grant to help develop initial level I curriculum. They successfully applied for a training grant from the state which financed the expansion of the training program at MCTC to Level III. In addition it assisted in the funding of more training at Level I and II. Fall 2000 they opened a new stamping lab with some of the equipment donated by PMA members. Due to low enrollment, the program was suspended in 2003.

Indiana
PMA Indiana District
Contact: Stewart Rariden, (812) 275-3373, ext. 15
The Indiana District education program started in July, 1999. The District partnered with Vincennes University to provide Power Press Operation & NIMS Level I Skills training. The course is offered in a four-day, eight hours per day format on consecutive Saturdays offered in three regions of Indiana. The District received a grant of $198,000 from the state to expand and continue the program.

West Michigan
Trans-Matic Mfg. Company
Contact: Karen Spaulding, (616) 820-2477
The District has focused on developing training partners. The new Michigan Technical (M-TEC) Education Centers in the Holland/Grand Rapids area are operational. PMA members are offered several venues for participation in the Centers. In addition, West Michigan District has initiated a scholarship program for recent high school graduates pursuing a career in the metalforming industry. Each year, the District will fund scholarships through local educational institutions to be awarded to top students at their schools meeting criteria set by the District and the institutions.

Cleveland
NEO-MAC
Contact: Karen Kittle, (440) 746-0031
Local metalworking associations, with the help of WIRE-Net (a community economic development association), have formed a metalworking associations partnership,  NEO-MAC, to support, approve and promote metalworking education programs in Northeast Ohio and promote NIMS credentialing in Cleveland vocational programs. In addition, the local chamber of commerce has established a "Metalworking Cluster" to promote this important industry segment.

Northwest Ohio 
Edison Industrial Systems Center (EISC)
Contact: Laura Berk, (419) 531-6000
Toledo is one of two cities in Ohio who piloted a new program designed to move recent high school grads from school to metalforming careers. EISC in Toledo, working with the Northwest Ohio PMA District, developed a 20-week program for recent high school grads with funds granted through the local Workforce Investment Board. EISC is working with school counselors to recruit students. The students will attend classes for two weeks of basic training prior to being hired as an intern by local metalforming companies. After completing basic training the students will attend class 4 hours per day and work 4-6 hours per day.

In addition, the District Education Committee has focused on marketing careers in metalforming using several venues. They have organized and executed a media supported Career Fair, several Junior High Career Days, partnered with other associations and educational institutions to host a Manufacturing Day Across Ohio and increased community awareness through newspaper articles, television exposure and radio exposure. 

Wisconsin 
Fisher-Barton
Contact: Rick Wilkey, (920) 261-0131
The District, in cooperation with the Milwaukee Area Technical College, has implemented a program based on the Twin Cities Model. The program is using the Jane Addams Resource Corp./PMA Metalworking Skills Assessment test to evaluate students at the beginning of the program. 

Tennessee
CMS Manufacturing Systems
Contact: Tom Smith, (615) 662-3102
The District has established a scholarship program to stimulate interest in metalforming. Even though they are a small district in terms of manufacturing companies, they have quite a few associate members. Their scholarship program is easy to administer. First year, they offered ten $500 scholarships to employees or children of employees of member companies. The State of Tennessee has implemented an elaborate network of technical training centers and university programs to support manufacturing. Tennessee Technology Centers has 26 campuses statewide, which offer vocational education including basic machine shops that are equipped with newer machines an offer two-year associates program. The Tennessee Technology Centers are all on schedule to become certified by NIMS.

The Carolinas
Palmetto Training
Contact: Eddie Jackson, (803) 775-8181
The District has supported local machine tool technology classes with some scholarships and by bringing students to District meetings. They also do some work with career days where Eddie emphasizes to potential students the advantages of taking a two-year machine tool technology in high school, leading to work opportunities where the company will pay for their college courses. Eddie also reported that using a CNC program and blueprint for a miniature baseball bat made from metal had been very useful as a promotional item to promote participation.