The Fabricators & Manufacturers Association is being recognized for its summer manufacturing camps.

FMA was one of 11 organizations nationally to receive an Award of Excellence in the third round of the 2008 Associations Advance America Awards program. The competition is sponsored by the American Society of Association Executives and the Center for Association Leadership.

The Summer Manufacturing Camps for Youth program provides grants to not-for-profit organizations and educational institutions that offer overnight or day camps to introduce young people to careers in manufacturing and engineering. FMA’s entry is now automatically eligible for the 2008 Summit Award, ASAE and the center’s highest level of recognition for associations, to be announced this month.

In 2008, the FMA Foundation awarded 19 grants, ranging from $2,500 to $5,000, to organizations offering manufacturing and engineering camps to young people age 12 to 16. The camps expose participants to math, science and engineering principles, and provide them opportunities to see the technology being used in industry and the high level of skills that will be required from the work force.

“The purpose of these camps is to provide a positive, hands-on experience so young people will consider manufacturing as a career option,” said Terry Egan, director of the FMA Foundation. “Inspiring youth to consider these trades will have a positive effect on graduation rates, increased chance for them to earn a living wage, a more qualified work force and community development in impoverished areas.”

Now in its 18th year, the Associations Advance America program recognizes associations that use innovative projects in education, skills training, standards-setting, business and social innovation, citizenship and community service.

“FMA’s Summer Manufacturing Camps for Youth program truly embodies the spirit of the Associations Advance America Campaign,” said 2007-2008 Associations Advance America committee chairman Matthew D’Uva. “It is an honor and an inspiration to recognize this outstanding contribution to American society.”