Central PA

Talent & Innovation
Defense Ecosystem

A Defense Community That Works Together Thrives

Thanks to the strategic coordination and partnerships through a network of committed partners and grant support, the Talent & Innovation Defense Ecosystem (TIDE) Project streamlines access to high-quality training, accelerates workforce development, enhances community engagement and exposure to careers in defense manufacturing, and ensures employers can build and sustain a skilled, talented workforce aligned with our national security priorities.

Thank You Partners!

Industry Leadership: The Manufacturers’ Association is leading regional defense manufacturing success through strategic coordination & partnerships with:

Technical Colleges and Training Institutions
- Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology
- Harrisburg Area Community College
- York County School of Technology
- Cumberland Perry Area Career & Technical Center
- Dauphin County Technical School
- Franklin County Career & Technology Center
- Lancaster County Career & Technology Center
- Lebanon County Career & Technology Center
- Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology
Education and Community Support
- York County Alliance for Learning
- Partnership for Career Development
Technology & Automation Deployment
- Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Innovation Institute
- FANUC Robotics
Industrial Resource Centers (federal NIST MEPs):
- MANTEC
- Innovative Manufacturers’ Center
Workforce and Economic Development Organizations:
Manufacturing Industry Partnership
Local Defense Community Agencies
- Letterkenny Army Depot
- Defense Logistics Agency (Susquehanna)
- Naval Support Activity – Mechanicsburg, PA
- Fort Indiantown Gap
- Army War College & Carlisle Barracks
Over 75 Maritime and Defense Industrial Base Employers

Collaborate with the Consortia

The TIDE Project’s mission is to build a vibrant, highly skilled talent pipeline that supports U.S. Naval readiness and strengthens the Defense and Maritime Industrial Bases, and The Manufacturers’ Association is here to help. Through targeted training and streamlined automation readiness assessments, the Project helps employers build a highly skilled workforce pipeline and deploy advanced technologies and automation on the plant floor—boosting productivity, innovation, and national security.

By partnering with The Manufacturers’ Association, companies and individuals gain access to high-quality training aligned with defense manufacturing needs. The grant-supported structure aims to remove barriers to entry into defense manufacturing, making it easier to upskill employees and prepare new talent for critical roles in the Maritime and Defense manufacturing sectors. Whether you’re an employer looking to launch training or an individual seeking a career in advanced manufacturing, TIDE offers a clear path forward.

How to Get Started

Connect with the Manufacturers’ Association to learn about available training tracks
- Contact our Manufacturers’ Association TIDE Program Manager, Quentin Moore
Identify workforce needs in defense-related manufacturing roles
Apply for grant-supported training through the T.I.D.E. program
Enroll employees or job seekers in approved courses and assessments
Track progress and outcomes to support long-term workforce development

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