SPRING 2022

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JO MORRIS & DAN WALKER THE POWER OF ASSOCIATIONS AND EDUCATION TO CONNECT THE SKILLS AND LABOR GAP from page 32
Together, IFI and FTI provide more than 20 in-depth
educational seminars each year to address key areas of
need for the fastener industry. The working relationship
between IFI and FTI grew even closer during the pandemic
and the two organizations are working side-by-side to
benefit the entire industry. IFI has opened up its
manufacturer focused Member Only Training classes to
everyone in the industry. These classes are now offered
to the public through FTI, and IFI members continue to get
this valuable training for no charge (a valuable member
benefit).
These training classes are a combination of webinars,
in-person classes, and hands-on demonstration with
subjects ranging from fastener basics, to testing and
industry specifications. IFI and FTI ensure training is
provided by recognized industry experts that are full-time
industry professionals with decades of experience. As
industry professionals, these instructors offer real-life
career experience as well as an in-depth knowledge of the
class subject area.
The classes offered by IFI and FTI are designed
to upskill employees and provide industry context to
develop and backfill a growing lack of mid- to senior-level
management that plagues the industry today and into the
future.
For 2022, IFI and FTI have scheduled a mix of
more than 20 classes that are a mix of webinars and
in-person instruction. In the first quarter of 2022, these
sessions are examining fastener basics, such as fastener
materials, quality assurance, structural bolting, electronic
assembly and lifting hardware, as well as geometric
dimensioning and tolerances for fasteners. There are also
sector-specific training sessions for key industries, like
aerospace.
Other specialty events, like FTI’s Fastener Training
Week, provide week-long intensive training for the industry
recognized credential known as “Certified Fastener
Specialist”. These immersive events include learning
labs, interactive exercises, and plant tours to prepare for
industry certification.
Companies with employees that participate in industry
training benefit from the latest industry knowledge and
can differentiate themselves from their industry peers.
This training brings value to a company and its customers
through their ability to embrace new efficiencies and
innovations that come to the industry.
Both the IFI and FTI also have extensive online libraries
and training resources that are critical industry resources.
These resources are columniations of decades of industry
leadership from their core areas of expertise. While
united in the mission of advancing the fasteners industry,
the IFI and FTI bring unique expertise to the industry.
Understanding more about the focus and capabilities of
these valuable industry partners can provide significant
benefit to your company and the entire fastener industry.
About the IFI
IFI offers a long history and experience, representing
the interests of North American mechanical fastener
manufacturers since 1931. The IFI represents more
than 160 fastener manufacturers and suppliers in North
America—making it the authoritative source of fastener
industry information.
The members of IFI are small, medium, and large
manufacturers, ranging from single-site, family-owned
businesses to multi-location, publicly traded fastener
manufacturers. IFI represents approximately 85 percent
of the production capacity in North America. Individual
companies range in size from around $10 million in sales
to companies with over $1 billion in sales.
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