By Andy Furman
NKyTribune staff writer
It starts with Charles L. Shor. And with his Foundation, it will create his dream.
“We need jobs that create our Middle Class,” he told the Northern Kentucky Tribune, at a Friday afternoon celebration to launch SME PRIME at Ludlow High School.
SME PRIME partners private industry with academia to build custom, manufacturing and engineering programs across the country, providing equipment, curriculum, teacher training, student scholarships, and funding for extra-curricular activities and program sustainability.
SME PRIME is tailored to meet the needs of local manufacturers and is aligned with over 45 industry recognized certifications. SME PRIME is located in 133 schools in 27 states serving over 15,000 students.
So why Ludlow, Charley?
“My first manufacturing plant was here in Ludlow,” the former CEO of the world’s largest paper bag manufacturing company – Duro Bag manufacturing – told the Northern Kentucky Tribune.
“I was kidnapped when I was 27,” the Hyde Park resident continued, “and from that incident I felt like I owed the country a lot.
“When I retired, I wanted more people working in the Middle Class.”
So, he forked over $500,000 from his Charles Shor Foundation to the SME Program, “hoping more young kids can know the Middle Class.”
Shor notes that China has 75 percent of its population toiling in the Middle Class, while the United Statutes lags behind, under 50 percent.
Now, if you’re wondering, SME — Society of Manufacturing Engineers — is a nonprofit association of professionals, educators and students committed to promoting and supporting the manufacturing industry. SME helps manufacturers innovate, grow and prosper by promoting manufacturing technology, developing a skilled workforce and connecting the manufacturing industry.
“As the philanthropic arm of SME, the SME Education Foundation inspires, prepares, and supports the next generation of manufacturing and engineering talent,” SME VP, Rob Luce told the Northern Kentucky Tribune.
Established in 1979, the Foundation works to expose youth to modern manufacturing technologies, train students on relevant manufacturing processes, and award millions of dollars in scholarships annually.
Since 2005, the Foundation has awarded $18 million to over 5,000 future industry leaders.
“We inspire, prepare and support the next generation of manufacturing,” Luce said. ”There are many unfilled jobs, and to fill these jobs we develop curriculum in local high schools. We find out what manufacturers need.”
Ludlow has 26 students in their SME PRIME program which debuted in the fall of ’25. And according to Luce, all have already received multi-certifications.
Eighth-grader Grayson Puckett is a member of the program.
“I’m looking at a career in engineering and trade,” he told the Tribune. “This program helps me expand my knowledge in my chosen field.”
He says there are 11 in his class, and credits “teamwork,” which helps his learning and ability to communicate with people on his team.
Adia Bradd says her career involves engineering.
“I was placed in the program,” the eighth grader told the Tribune, “based on my career interest from my teachers.”
The SME PRIME program partners with the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce – the manufacturing partners are all Chamber members:
• National Band
• Davey Resource Group
• Balluff, Inc.
• Meyer Tool, Ink.
• Close the Loop Circular Solutions
• Tente Casters, Inc.
• Fives Machining Systems Inc.,
• Mubea
Select SME PRIME equipment includes:
• Additive manufacturing (3D printers)
• Precision measurement instruments
• CNC and subtractive manufacturing equipment
• Welding systems
• Industrial robotic arms
• Mechatronics training equipment
• And more cutting-edge tools
“Two years ago,” said Jason Steffen, Superintendent of Ludlow Schools, “we received an unsolicited phoned call from Charles Shor. “He created a future for our kids – something we never could have done without his help.”
Perhaps Ludlow, SME PRIME teacher Lyndsey Puckett, said it best while holding back tears in front of the assembled crowd: “My money is on these kids — everyday of the week.”
SME was founded in January 1932 at the height of the Great Depression. Originally named the Society of Tool Engineers, and renamed the American Society of Tool Engineers one year later.
It was formed by a group of 33 engineers and mechanics gathered at the Detroit College of Applied Science. By April of that year, just four months after its beginning, membership increased from the original 33 members to 200 members and continued to grow rapidly with new chapters popping up across the country.
The Society launched the SME Manufacturing Engineering Education Foundation in May, 1979. By 2007 SME had successfully expanded into more than 72 countries establishing itself as the world’s leading provider of knowledge, networking and skills development for the manufacturing industry.
In Northern Kentucky, the SME PRIME program has been functioning at both Ludlow High School and Holmes – talks are in the works for Boone County High School to be added.