ST. LOUIS, Sept. 16, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LMI Aerospace, Inc. (Nasdaq:LMIA), a leading provider of design engineering services, structural components, assemblies and kits to the aerospace, defense and technology industries, today announced it has joined Change the Equation (CTEq), a CEO-led initiative to cultivate widespread literacy in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). CTEq will not only achieve the President's Educate to Innovate campaign mission to increase private and philanthropic involvement in STEM education, but also will meet a critical need for a workforce and a citizenry fluent in science and math.
Change the Equation is bringing together top companies like LMI Aerospace across multiple sectors, all of which are dedicated to preparing students for STEM-related careers as an investment in their business, the economy and our democracy. Through innovative and effective company-led programs, LMI Aerospace and CTEq aim to fill the opportunity gap with capable and enthusiastic STEM-literate young people. It is the first and only STEM education group that brings so many corporate leaders together in collaboration with the White House, State Houses nationwide, and the foundation community. LMI Aerospace joins founding members Time Warner Cable, Sally Ride Science, Kodak, Intel and Xerox.
"Our industry and our company rely heavily on employees who have literacy in science, math, engineering and technology," said Ron Saks, CEO of LMI Aerospace. "Our need for individuals with these skills continues to increase and the number of qualified workers having these skills has declined in recent years. Now the older, highly skilled workers who have contributed greatly to modern technology advances in many fields are beginning to retire, and we as a nation have not been replacing them at a sustainable rate. The opportunities available to our children and grandchildren to receive the necessary formal and practical education needed for development of these skills must be increased, so that our future work force has access to the many challenging and rewarding jobs currently being created. We at LMI are committed to help these generations of future workers obtain the STEM literacy needed, so our country can maintain its strong position as the world's technology leader."
According to a report by the Center on Education and the Workforce, there will be eight million jobs available in STEM-related fields by 2018. However, the report also finds that the next generation of employees in America will be unprepared to take advantage of these positions.
"If we don't encourage our children and students to get excited about math as well as science, technology and engineering, we are denying them the chance to reach their potential, and be prepared for a future filled with opportunity," said Linda Rosen, Chief Executive Officer of CTEq.
Rosen announced that CTEq will establish a set of criteria that guides the organization and its member companies in defining program success. "It has been said that conscience is a person's compass," Rosen said. "CTEq can and will fire the nation's conscience on STEM education. We will monitor our own progress and the progress of others, identifying what is working and what isn't. CTEq will apply the lessons we learn so that the nation continues to move towards a future where every American is literate in science, technology, engineering and mathematics."
CTEq has an ambitious agenda for its first year, including creating a snapshot of existing STEM investments by its 100 member companies to establish a baseline of STEM programs. LMI Aerospace will develop its STEM initiative with a focus on influencing students' career orientation towards STEM careers.
Additional information regarding CTEq is available on the CTEq website, www.changetheequation.org.
About Change the Equation
Change the Equation (CTEq) is a non-profit organization whose 100 member companies from across industry sectors are dedicated to promoting innovation and investment in STEM teaching and learning. CTEq aims to give STEM education a central place in the national lexicon of excellence and achievement, establishing a national movement to support, promote and implement excellent STEM education for every child.
About LMI Aerospace
LMI Aerospace, Inc. is a leading provider of design engineering services, structural components, assemblies and kits to the aerospace, defense and technology industries. Through its Aerostructures segment, the company primarily fabricates machines, finishes and integrates formed, close-tolerance aluminum and specialty alloy components and sheet-metal products, for large commercial, corporate and military aircraft. It manufactures more than 30,000 products for integration into a variety of aircraft platforms manufactured by leading original equipment manufacturers and Tier 1 aerospace suppliers. Through its Engineering Services segment, operated by its D3 Technologies, Inc. subsidiary, the company provides a complete range of design, engineering and program management services, supporting aircraft lifecycles from conceptual design, analysis and certification through production support, fleet support and service-life extensions.
The LMI Aerospace, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=4971