Pella Corporation recently announced a pledge of $100,000 to help jumpstart the “Creators Wanted” campaign—a nationwide effort to reshape America’s perception of manufacturing and confront the industry’s growing skills gap. Led by the National Association of Manufacturers and The Manufacturing Institute, the workforce and education partner of the National Association of Manufacturers, “Creators Wanted” will take an unprecedented approach to solving the manufacturing industry’s current workforce challenges. Dale and Mary Andringa with Vermeer Corporation are also pledging $100,000 to the effort.

President and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers Jay Timmons says the “Creators Wanted” campaign will feature an on-the-ground, interactive mobile tour in more than 20 states to pursue the high-skilled, high-paying jobs in modern manufacturing.

“I am proud to announce that Vermeer Corporation, along with your foundation and Mary and Dr. Dale Andringa, have contributed $100,000 to this cause. And another local manufacturer, Pella Corporation, is also leading by example with a $100,000 contribution of their own,” said Timmons.

By 2025, “Creators Wanted” aims to reduce the skills gap in the United States by 600,000 workers, expand the number of students enrolling in technical and vocational schools or reskilling programs by 25 percent and increase the positive perception of the industry among parents to 50 percent from 27 percent today.