Emerging Leadership Development
AMBA believes that the development of its U.S. mold manufacturing members, alongside its industry suppliers, is imperative for the success and future of the domestic mold building industry.
To this end, AMBA makes every effort to connect employees in up-and-coming leadership roles and/or functional area individuals within each member facility with like-minded, industry peers, as well as the appropriate professional development resources.
Emerging Leadership
Connection Opportunities
Emerging Leaders Network and Advisory Board
The AMBA Emerging Leaders Network is a group that brings together up-and-coming, innovative, creative and dedicated emerging professionals from across all AMBA member companies. These individuals come from all over the country and all areas of business are interested in peer connection, skills development, leadership advancement and personal growth.
The Emerging Leaders Advisory Board is a dedicated group of AMBA members passionate about the growth of the U.S. mold manufacturing industry and the development of its emerging workforce. This group of individuals meets once a quarter and drives the programming and connection opportunities available to AMBA's member companies.
The Advisory Board is currently seeking interested individuals. If interested, contact Rachael Pfenninger at rpfenninger@amba.org.
Annual AMBA Emerging Leaders Pre-Conference Session
AMBA's Emerging Leaders meet annually for a 2-3 hour pre-conference session at the AMBA Conference, a two-and-a-half day event hosted in the Midwest region of the country. This is a unique opportunity to learn alongside peers in elevated leadership roles who share similiar experiences and challenges in the workplace.
During the annual conference, other opportunities also are provided for AMBA Emerging Leaders to meet and network with one another.
Learn More about the AMBA Conference
Bi-Annual Leadership Retreat
Every other year, AMBA Emerging Leaders meet for a two-day period, during which they participate in a facilitated leadership-oriented workshop alongside industry peers.
To learn more about the Retreat and when the next event is planned, reach out to the AMBA offices at 317.436.3102 or email info@amba.org.
Plant Tour Workshops (Sponsored by the Emerging Leaders Network)
Every other year, AMBA plans a plant tour workshop sponsored by the Emerging Leaders Network. Similiar in scope and schedule to AMBA's traditional plant tour workshops, Emerging Leaders-sponsored tours are focused on workforce development topics, such as best practices in employee attraction and retention, training strategies, company culture and more. These events also provide robust networking opportunities and takeaway discussion for emerging leadership.
To learn more about Emerging Leaders-sponsored plant tour workshops and when the next event is planned, reach out to the AMBA offices at 317.436.3102 or email info@amba.org.
Resources
Virtual Meetings and Technical Series
Throughout the year, AMBA holds virtual meetings and facilitated technical trainings for AMBA member employees in a variety of functional area and leadership positions. Sample topics include:
- 5S System - The Visual Workplace
- Conflict Resolution
- Continuous Improvement
- Communication Strategies and Techniques
- Leadership and Professional Development
- Lean Culture and Change Management
- Problem-solving Strategies
- Mentee/Mentor Relationships
- Risk Management
- Root Cause Analysis
- Team Facilitation
- Training Strategies
To see what virtual learning opportunities are scheduled, visit the AMBA Events Calendar. To suggested alternate topics or learn more about current programming, contact Rachael Pfenninger at rpfenninger@amba.org.
Scholarship and Grant Opportunities
Through its annual Mold Builder of the Year, Tooling Trailblazer of the Year and Emerging Leaders Rising Star Awards, AMBA provides scholarship opportunities to its membership.
Learn More and View Past Award Winners
Additionally, AMBA provides access to its Grants Matrix, which features information on state, regional and national grants available to U.S. businesses and manufacturers. This is an evolving list that AMBA updates regularly. The list is accessible only to AMBA members.
Careers in Mold Building
Mold building is an exciting career! To better explain the benefits of a career in mold manufacturing, AMBA has gathered the following resources for AMBA members to share with prospective employees:
- Key Videos: Why a Career in Mold Building?
- A Career Path in Mold Building: Illustrated
- State-by-State: Technical Schools
- FAQ: Am I Ready for a Mold Building Career?
- Testimonials: Youth in Mold Building
Recruitment Tools and Playbooks
AMBA offers a variety of tools to help its members further recruit and retain employees, including both video interviews and tour playbooks.
Access Members-Only Playbooks and Videos
Skills Certification
The AMBA created the AMBA-certified Skills Certification Program to assess and certify the skills of front-line mold manufacturing workers, from entry-level through the first level of supervision within all sectors of the industry.
The purpose of the program is to recognize, through certification, individuals who demonstrate mastery in three body-of-knowledge content areas:
- Primary Skills
- Master CNC Technician
- Master Mold Builder
To achieve certification in each area, mold manufacturers must purchase a Skills Certification test. An outline of what will be covered, along with sample test questions, is provided.
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