Featured Image

Future Faces: How Unexpected Paths Elevate New Talents in Manufacturing Technology

Mar 21, 2025

Kaio Dutra: From Tinkering to Programming Not every career path is a straight line. Have you ever taken a detour that led to something greater? That’s exactly what Kaio Dutra did. After starting college and stepping away, Kaio charted an alternate route that began with a passion for tinkering with computers. That passion grew into a fulfilling career in manufacturing, landing him a role at S-Cubed, an equipment manufacturer serving the semiconductor industry.

Colin Barnes: Pivot to Passion How often do we start college with one plan, only to discover a passion that takes us in a new direction? That’s Colin Barnes’ story. He began at Penn State on a computer science track but found his true calling in industrial engineering focusing on the intersection of AI and automation.

PicturePicture
Author
Bill Herman
Vice President, Membership
Recent smartforce News
Fueled by a vision to make 3D technology accessible to everyone, Somerset Community College is providing free training and additive manufacturing equipment to underserved populations in Kentucky.
West Virginia’s Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center is a strategic resource helping manufacturers provide pre-apprenticeships, registered apprenticeship programs, and high-tech training for new and incumbent employees.
Despite stay-at-home orders being issued in some states in response to the current COVID-19 pandemic, some manufacturing facilities remain open to allow manufacturers to produce essential medical devices and parts for the defense industry.
Pretty much every time I teach our Manufacturing Technology Sales Fundamentals (MTSF) class, I'm amazed at some of the social media and web skills these young new sales professionals possess.
AMT can help – let me count the ways: Audience targeting – Ensuring your event is well attended by your current customers and prospective customers means you need to invite the right people. AMT has two products that can help you find your audience...
Similar News
undefined
Advocacy
By Harry Moser | Mar 06, 2026

In November 2025, Harry Moser presented “Made in the USA: How Main Street is Revitalizing Domestic Manufacturing” before the House Committee on Small Business, in which he discussed the state of U.S. manufacturing and how to accelerate reshoring.

7 min
undefined
Smartforce
By Catherine “Cat” Ross | Mar 02, 2026

Learn about alliances between AEC and Meltio, distribution growth from Mastrex and Platinum Tooling, and workforce investments from Big Daishowa, plus leadership, facility, and event updates from Mazak, SMW Autoblok, Xometry, ASTM International, and more.

5 min
undefined
Intelligence
By Bill Herman | Feb 27, 2026

With more than 30 years of experience at Okuma, Tim Thiessen, the senior vice president of sales, leverages the company’s AMT membership to help build connections and fuel long-term growth.

4 min