A key message in President Obama’s recent State of the Union address discussed training for re-employment in jobs and industries of the future. The American Composite Manufacturers Association (ACMA) reports it is poised to fulfill demand for skilled jobs in the composites industry.

To illustrate this point, President Obama used the story of a Michigan man who seized a job retraining opportunity and is now employed with a local wind blade manufacturer. “The renewable energy industry is a great example of an industry of the future,” said Julian Francis, ACMA Board member. Blade manufacturers are continually seeking new solutions that enable them to produce lighter and longer blades that generate more power.

“As demand for renewable energy increases, so does the use of composite solutions in applications like wind blades and solar panels that demand light weight, strength and corrosion resistance,” Francis said. Composite applications are also used to reduce vehicle weight and extend the life of pipe delivering oil and gas.

Growth in the composites industry means there will be greater need for skilled workers. ACMA is a trade organization dedicated to research and education, offering a Certified Composites Technician program.

“As of November 2011, nearly 1,300 individuals have earned their certifications and are employed in more than 200 companies across the country,” said Lori Luchak, president. “We expect to see these numbers grow with the composites industry.”

For more information, visit www.acmanet.org.