SAMPE Journal - July/August 2016 - 5

A Note From the Technical Director

Dr. Scott W. Beckwith

SAMPE Journal Technical Editor
swbeckwith@aol.com

Workforce Development - Impacts Us All
Regardless of the industry or market segment where you work, we continue to see the need for training and workforce
development. The term "workforce development" is not new - just much more important and ever present. Technology
advances demonstrate the need for new training and skill sets needed to meet these advances. SAMPE was founded
in 1944 in order to resolve problematic materials and processing technologies. Problems arose back then because
technologies had advanced using new materials, new processing methods, and new structural design concepts; and
subsequently training and workforce skills need to implement these advances were lagging. Consequently, SAMPE
members banded together to establish a better understanding of these issues. Today is no different.
Advanced materials technology (materials developments, manufacturing and processing methodologies, new
applications, etc.) continue their rapid advance. Workforce development and training is necessary in order to stay
ahead (or just keep up).
SAMPE has been the society with the focused mission of advancing technology in the
materials and process engineering community globally. As such we are often thought
of as the "composites society". In fact, while SAMPE is the lead in "composites"
technologies, we are much more than just composites. It is important that we
remember that SAMPE addresses all advanced materials.
So, in order to fulfill our mission, a knowledgeable work force is mandatory.
Equipping engineers with the skills required to develop, design, analyze, test, inspect,
manufacture and adapt new materials technologies is and has been a key SAMPE
focus. While the term "workforce development" has more recently become an industry "buzzword" of sorts, SAMPE
has a long history of providing this training. As a global society one has only to look at what has been offered over the
years at SAMPE events. SAMPE North America, SAMPE Europe, SAMPE Japan and SAMPE China have all offered
training within their annual conference and exhibition events. SAMPE Brazil, one of our newest chapters is offering
such training as well. Each of these entities has offered the following activities in workforce development:
* Bridge Building Contests

* Wing Design/Building Contests

* Additive Manufacturing Contests

* Student Leadership Awards Programs * Seminars and Workshops

* Tutorials (numerous topics)

* Student Speaker Opportunities

* 1-2 Day Local Conference/Workshops

* Student Chapter Opportunities

In addition to our large international conferences and exhibitions, SAMPE's local
Chapters and Clubs also offer similar training, tours, speaker engagements and student
events during the year. SAMPE's focus whether the topic is aerospace, automotive,
energy, alternative energy, infrastructure, consumer products, tooling, marine, medical
is really about educating our members and our customers. Consequently, SAMPE
has a long supportive history of developing engineers, scientists, technicians, sales
and marketing personnel in "Workforce Development". And, SAMPE will continue to
support this much needed area of our workforce.

SAMPE Journal, Volume 52, No. 4, July/August 2016

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of SAMPE Journal - July/August 2016