Beaumont Technologies, a leader in injection molding education and plastics engineering technologies, announced the launch of a new educational initiative for the plastics injection molding industry, including personnel involved with the design and development of plastic parts. Known as the American Injection Molding (AIM) Institute, the new education and training organization is designed to provide a higher level education to practicing professionals.

According to John Beaumont, President and CEO of Beaumont Technologies and founder of the AIM Institute, the mission is to help advance injection molding throughout the United States by delivering high-quality science, engineering and technology-based educational programs to practicing industry professionals. A recent inductee into the Plastics Hall of Fame and former professor and program chair of the plastics engineering technology program at Penn State, Beaumont used both his academic and industry background to develop the AIM Institute.

"The AIM Institute is uniquely structured, reflecting my 25 years of experience as an educator at Penn State University," said Beaumont. "The centerpiece of the institute is our high-level, multi-course certification program for practicing professionals that are working on the design, development and/or manufacture of plastic products. We also offer a wide range of professional development courses and injection molding simulation training."

Among those joining Beaumont on the AIM Institute faculty are Michael Sepe and John Bozzelli, both highly respected plastics industry educators.

"Sepe and Bozzelli are pioneers in the industry and bring significant educational experience to the AIM Institute," said Beaumont. "When I approached them about being a part of this new initiative, they both expressed a sincere interest in contributing and were highly enthusiastic about the structure of the certification program and the mission of the AIM Institute."

The AIM Institute is located at Beaumont Technologies headquarters in Erie, PA, and offers continuing development courses, Autodesk and Moldflow training, and the flagship multi-course certification program. Each of the four courses begins with a one-week classroom and lab experience at the AIM facility, and will include lectures and exercises. Following the five-day class, during the next eight- to 12-week period students will participate in regular weekly and biweekly online meetings with course instructors.

Eight different instructors are currently contributing to the various courses offered through the institute.

Students wishing to enroll must take an assessment exam. Following the exam, a representative from the AIM Institute will have an on-line meeting to review exam results and make recommendations.

For more information, contact the Institute at [email protected].