Special Initiatives
The IRC Network is proud to be part of several special initiatives, involving channel partners, economic development organizations and other statewide leaders.
PA Manufacturing Innovation Program
The goal of this program is to enable PA universities and colleges to seamlessly bring their capabilities to bear on industry led projects and position the Commonwealth at the forefront of the next wave of manufacturing innovation. A main component of this program is the Manufacturing Fellows Initiative which will support designated undergraduate and graduate student fellows at PA universities to work with PA manufacturers. University faculty/students will address projects identified by industry to help advance product or process innovations.
What’s So Cool About Manufacturing? Video Contest
The annual What’s So Cool About Manufacturing? video contests excite students statewide to explore cool manufacturing careers and produce company profiles of Pennsylvania’s manufacturers. The events involve and excite entire communities including schools, teachers, students, parents and manufacturers.
Make it in America Supplier Scouting
The Pennsylvania IRCs/Manufacturing Extension Partnerships are partnering with manufacturers and partners to celebrate great “Made in the USA” products while also finding more business opportunities for American manufacturers.
Partners to Advance Manufacturing Innovation – Manufacturing USA Institutes
Fostering innovation coast to coast. Manufacturing USA consists of multiple linking manufacturing innovation institutes, each with a unique technological focus but a common vision of advancing US manufacturing. To represent Pennsylvania’s small to mid-sized manufacturers’ interests, the IRCs are embedded with the robotics, 3D printing and Department of Defense funded institutes.