I grew up in a smaller, manufacturing town in Wisconsin. We had American Motors, American Brass, Simmons Mattress and other companies that have not survived the financial times. One of the factors facing the manufacturing and engineering sector today is a lack of skilled labor. Not everyone feels the call to white collar occupations and people are talented in a million different ways.

My now-retired father is one of the most talented men I know and his background is in the car and manufacturing industries. He can build furniture, add rooms to a home and restore a classic car with the kind of ease that others run a staff meeting or write a work plan. I have always been very proud of him and I am proud of the following funders who are trying to open up the spectrum of future job options for our youth.

This week’s pick: The Fabricators & Manufacturers Association Foundation and the Nuts, Bolts and Thingamajigs Foundation want to help nonprofits and educational organizations to provide manufacturing career experiences for young people through overnight or day camps in the summer. The FMA is a charitable organization that promotes metal forming and fabricating technology in manufacturing. The Nuts, Bolts and Thingamajigs Foundation helps young people to develop needed manufacturing skills and has actor John Ratzenberger of Cheers fame as the Foundation founder and spokeperson.

Camps should have hands-on programs targeting youth between the ages of 12 and 16 and preference will be given to those serving minority populations. Applications for funding summer 2009 camps must be submitted by December 12, 2008. Grants rage from $2,500 to $5,000. For further info on applying, please click here.