Award Recipients

Emerging Elite in Manufacturing

The EMERGING ELITE IN MANUFACTURING Awards recognizes West Virginia high school students who have excelled in career readiness fields, technical education, and STEM classes that focus on manufacturing careers. Each awardee demonstrates workforce-ready skills and communication skills critical to successful employee performance.

Gary Clay Memorial Award

Lifetime Achievement Award 2021 blueThis award honors the memory of education and manufacturing champion Gary Clay, who helped establish the WVMA Educational Fund, Inc. and served as the organization's board chair. A champion for the region and state, Clay volunteered countless hours to his community and various causes, including the American Red Cross West Virginia Region, United Way of Randolph County, and Randolph County Development Authority. This award is a special designation of Explore the New Manufacturing's Emerging Elite in Manufacturing Award Program.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Lifetime Achievement Award 2021 blueWorking in partnership with the West Virginia Department of Education, the Explore the New Manufacturing Program, state manufacturers, and educators join forces throughout the year to strengthen manufacturing education programs and narrow the skills gap, guiding West Virginia’s youth into opportunities that will lead to long-term rewarding careers in the manufacturing industry. Today provides an opportunity to recognize the partners who are committed to helping students discover a host of exciting and rewarding careers within the Mountain State.

Program Sponsors

Major financial underwriting is provided by

Upcoming Dates

28 Mar
SVC - EASTERN Region - Viewer's Choice Voting
Date 03.28.2024 - 04.04.2024
28 Mar
SVC - EASTERN Region Judging
03.28.2024 - 04.03.2024
29 Mar
MIC - NORTH CENTRAL Region - Deadline Final Presentation to Manufacturer
03.29.2024
29 Mar
MIC - EASTERN Region - Judging
03.29.2024 - 04.04.2024
29 Mar
MIC - MID-OHIO Region - Deadline Draft Technical Report
03.29.2024
31 Mar
Regional Awards - NORTH CENTRAL / Bridgeport Conference Center / 5:30-8:30pm
03.31.2024 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Updates from Explore

Contact us and get involved!

Interested in getting involved with the Explore the New Manufacturing Program?

We are looking for manufacturers, schools, teachers, and community members to
help us expand our efforts throughout West Virginia.

Help us by answering a few questions.