About the WiMEF
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Our Story
The Women in Manufacturing Education Foundation (WiMEF), a 501(c)(3) organization, was created in 2016 by the Women in Manufacturing Association (WiM) to design and develop training and educational programs that support the advancement and development of women at all levels of their manufacturing careers.
The Leadership Institute for Women in STEM & Manufacturing (formerly Leadership Lab), created in partnership with Case Western Reserve University, was the first program developed and funded by WiMEF. The only program of its kind, it uniquely supports the advancement of executive women in manufacturing by providing access to effective tools to advance their careers. The comprehensive curriculum includes topics ranging from negotiations, influence and effective communications, to managing multiple levels of strategy. The course also includes individualized executive coaching, 360-degree assessments and peer coaching, and an Emotional Social Competency Inventory (ESCI) assessment.
Launched in 2018 to support the unique professional development needs of early career and new managers, the Management Development Program (MDP) provides the tools needed to rise as organizational leaders. A recent KPMG study of more than 3,000 women found that early leadership skills boosted women’s confidence and competence. The MDP addresses the important areas of performance management, project management, financial fundamentals and effective communications.
To provide year-round easy access to learning and inspiration, WiMEF launched the Virtual Learning Series (VLS) in 2016, which delivers live and on-demand learning on a variety of professional development and industry topics. Virtual learning sessions are currently offered live monthly and archived for on-demand member access in the WiM Virtual Learning library. The Arconic Foundation has supported the VLS since 2016, and to date, more than 9,000 professionals have been impacted by these learning sessions.
In the fall of 2021, WiMEF plans to launch a new program designed to support the professional development of shop-floor employees to make their next promotion more likely, more quickly. Shop-floor employees traditionally are not afforded the flexibility or time to pursue training. However, they are the best source of future knowledge workers and leaders at a company because they know the culture, the products and the processes. This program will address core professional skills for success in manufacturing environments such as: problem-solving, coping skills, communication skills, efficiency and time management, team mentality, individual responsibility, leadership, customer service and safety orientation. At the end of the program, participants receive a WiM-branded certificate of foundational professional skills in manufacturing.