Now in its fourth year, the Big Daishowa Tools for Schools program continues to invest in the next generation of manufacturers by awarding tooling certificates totaling $51,000 to technical schools selected by its customers. This brings the program’s total impact to nearly $120,000. From November through January, customers were invited to choose a school to receive a tooling certificate valued at 20 percent of qualifying orders. The certificates can be redeemed for any Big Daishowa product, including tool holders, boring tools, cutting tools, workholding products and presetters. “This contribution will have an immediate and meaningful impact on our students by expanding access to high-quality, industry-standard tooling,” said Carl Johnson, director of manufacturing at Southwest Technical College. NewEra Manufacturing chose Southwest Technical College as a recipient. “Being able to train with professional-grade tool holders, cutting tools and workholding systems strengthens hands-on learning and better prepares our students for careers in advanced manufacturing, machining and engineering,” Johnson added. Big Daishowa launched the Tools for Schools initiative to give customers a way to support manufacturing education programs in their local communities. “Our customers have strong ties to the communities where they operate, and those relationships are key to developing the future manufacturing workforce,” Big Daishowa President and COO Jack Burley said. “The Tools for Schools program gives us the opportunity to support both our customers and the students who may one day become part of their team.”