As we kick off 2025, I want to highlight the remarkable work of the PMMI Foundation for the packaging and processing industry and its ongoing achievements. Our progress this year is inspiring and reflects our commitment to building a strong, innovative workforce for the future. As the charitable arm of PMMI, the PMMI Foundation contributed over $800,000 in 2024 to support the future workforce, benefiting tens of thousands of students nationwide through partnerships, scholarships, and workforce development programs.
I’ll begin with one of my favorite initiatives from the foundation, the PMMI U Skills Fund for the Future Workforce. I’m leading with this because the program has already distributed $100,000 in 2025 alone as I write this column in mid-February. This follows nearly $478,000 in matching funds from the PMMI U Skills Fund in 2024. For those who need a refresher, the PMMI Skills Fund helps members support local and regional colleges, universities, technical schools, and high schools by matching contributions of up to $50,000 annually from your company.
Further efforts by the Foundation supported over 17,000 students at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, 11,576 students participating in FIRST Robotics Competitions — backed by $294,000 in contributions to help them develop STEM skills and explore engineering careers — and 1,710 students engaged in PACK EXPO International student events.
Speaking of PACK EXPO International, the PMMI Foundation made career exploration in the industry accessible to students at the show. A $75,000 travel fund enabled student groups to attend, while engaging competitions on the show floor, such as the Amazing Packaging Race, awarded $9,000 in prize money, and the PACK Challenge distributed $20,000. Additionally, the Foundation raised $41,000 through a Silent Auction, contributed $25,000 to sponsor 40 Girl Scouts to promote STEM education and sustainable packaging practices, and assisted PMMI member companies in bringing their interns to PACK EXPO through its Internship Reimbursement Program.
Applications for PMMI Scholarships opened on Jan. 1, following nearly $200,000 in scholarships awarded in 2024. This helped over 30 students pursuing degrees in packaging, engineering, mechatronics, and related fields. I’d be remiss not to highlight a scholarship available to immediate family members of employees at PMMI companies: the PMMI Family Member Scholarship. These $5,000 scholarships are awarded to the top 15 applicants pursuing degrees in packaging, processing, or related fields. Don’t miss this opportunity to make education more affordable and accessible for your loved ones.
Entering its fourth year, the PMMI Foundation has partnered with SparkForce™, the Foundation of the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, Intl. (FMA), to support summer manufacturing camps for kids ages 12-16. Last year, this program supported 35 camps, introducing 479 students to hands-on manufacturing experiences. Twenty-five camps are planned for 2025 and will be listed on the Foundation's website in mid-April at www.pmmifoundation.org/summer-camps.
These camps aim to narrow the growing skills gap by educating and inspiring the future manufacturing workforce to explore career opportunities in packaging and processing.
As we look forward to another impactful year with the PMMI Foundation, PMMI is grateful for the unwavering support of our sponsors and partners. Their contributions are not just investments in programs but in the lives and futures of thousands of students. These partnerships form the cornerstone of our mission to inspire and prepare the next generation of leaders in our industry.
