ELM Celebrates 10 Years and 100th Participant
Catalyst Connection is thrilled to start the 13th group of our Emerging Leaders in Manufacturing (ELM) program. This year, we welcome our 100th participant to this life-changing journey. This milestone shows our strong commitment to growing leadership talent on the shop floor. It also highlights the program’s deep impact on local companies over the last 10 years.
A Legacy of Empowerment
Since it started, the ELM program has helped unlock the skills of top-performing workers in the manufacturing sector. This deep, project-driven training takes 21 months to complete. It focuses heavily on vital soft skills like self-awareness, teamwork, and empathetic thinking. These tools are crucial for managers in today’s fast-changing factory environment.
Cohort-Based Learning
Every year, we bring together a diverse group of about eight rising stars. This mix of jobs, backgrounds, and personality types builds an excellent learning environment. Peers can hold deep talks and swap hands-on solutions. This close teamwork enriches the entire class. It also builds a lifelong support network for all participants.
Customized Development
The ELM program focuses on personalized growth. We use world-class training materials customized to each worker’s daily needs. Through personal reviews and hands-on projects, students apply new skills directly to their jobs. This ensures everything they learn remains highly relevant. This path speeds up leadership growth and brings lasting positive changes to local companies.
What Our Graduates Say
“ELM gave me the time and opportunity to focus on self-growth within a peer group. The small setting fostered meaningful discussions on problems I was facing on recent work projects. This experience helped my personal development more than any other course, seminar, or work training in my 20-year career.”
— Joe Miller, Plant Manager, Berner International
“The Emerging Leaders in Manufacturing (ELM) Program has been one of the most effective professional training tracks I have ever experienced. Being able to fill my tool box with practical strategies, skills, and clear language has helped me grow professionally and personally.”
— Denise Grady, Chief Financial Officer, Berner International
“The ELM program helps participants become true leaders by giving them all the tools they need to succeed. We will continue to sign up employees from Schroeder Industries until our entire team is talking the same management language.”
— John Ciora, Plant Manager, Schroeder Industries
Looking Ahead
As we welcome our 13th group and our 100th student, our core mission remains the same. We want to train the next generation of factory leaders. We are excited to see our graduates use their new management skills to drive workplace innovation and business excellence.
To see how this training can benefit your company, visit our ELM program page. Together, we are shaping the future of manufacturing leadership, one leader at a time.
By,
Joe Sherman
Staff Writer, Catalyst Connection