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Miller Sponsors Construction Challenge to Increase Awareness of Construction Industry Careers and Opportunities
APPLETON, Wis., January 31, 2008—Miller Electric Mfg. Co. recently announced its sponsorship of the Association of Equipment Manufacturer's (AEM) Construction Challenge, which is designed to attract the best and brightest young people into the construction industry in professions ranging from manufacturing to in-the-field careers. On January 12, about 140 high school teams from around the country competed at five regional rallies. The top 60 teams will compete in the finals taking place at the 2008 CONEXPO-CON/AGG in Las Vegas. Miller is sponsoring one of the advancing teams.
In order to advance, teams competed in three categories: Infrastructure dialogue, where teams discussed infrastructure issues related to roads, bridges, interstate system, water and sewage; Mini-Road Warrior, where teams had to design a small-scale bridge in a short amount of time and within a set budget; and development of construction equipment and career education products. Students will face similar challenges during the finals, competing for prizes in each category and for the overall championship.
Miller's sponsorship is just one of its corporate initiatives designed to address the shortage of skilled tradespeople, especially welders. By 2010, the American workforce could be facing a shortage of 210,000 skilled welders. Programs such as the AEM Construction Challenge promote the skilled trades as a viable choice for high school students considering their career options.
With headquarters in Appleton, Wis., Miller Electric Mfg. Co. is a leading worldwide manufacturer of Miller brand arc welding equipment and related systems for metalworking, construction, maintenance and other applications. Miller Electric is a wholly owned subsidiary of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW), Glenview, Ill. ITW is a diversified multinational manufacturer of highly engineered components, assemblies and systems.
