SPARTANBURG, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

AFL, an industry-leading manufacturer of fiber optic cables, connectivity, equipment and related services, celebrated 15 associates who successfully completed the Women in Production (WiP) program. WiP is a 20-week online professional development course offered by the Women in Manufacturing Education Foundation (WiMEF).

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"Our production teams are the backbone of our operations, and these women bring valuable perspectives to the frontlines of our organization," said Lisa Gunton, SVP, Chief Human Resources Officer at AFL, and 2023 Women in Manufacturing Hall of Fame inductee. “By supporting their participation in this program, we're investing in their growth as leaders and contributing to a stronger manufacturing industry overall."

The 15 graduates have between four and 35 years of experience in AFL's manufacturing operations across the United States. AFL sponsored their participation as part of its ongoing commitment to employee development and strengthening the manufacturing workforce. The graduates describe the experience as transformative, equipping them with new skills and confidence to advance their careers in manufacturing.

Founder and President Allison Roberts Grealis of the Women in Manufacturing Association (WiM) thanked AFL for its continued partnership. “AFL has been a valued partner, and we’re thrilled to see its commitment to employee development,” Grealis noted. “Every employee at AFL should be excited to work for a company that invests in their growth in such meaningful ways.”

"When companies invest in programs like Women in Production, they're not just developing individual leaders, they are strengthening the entire manufacturing industry," said Gretchen Moore, Executive Director of the Women in Manufacturing Education Foundation. "These graduates now have the skills and confidence to drive innovation on the shop floor and lead the next generation of manufacturing excellence."

The WiM Association is the only national trade association dedicated to providing year-round support to women who have chosen careers in the manufacturing industry. Its WiP program is delivered 100% virtually, featuring recorded lessons that allow participants to learn at their own pace with approximately one hour of commitment each week. The program includes a StrengthsFinder skills assessment, one-on-one coaching with certified coaches and monthly peer discussions.

About AFL

Founded in 1984, AFL is a global manufacturer providing safe and reliable end-to-end solutions to the energy, service provider, data center, AI and industrial markets. With products in over 130 countries, AFL specializes in fiber optic cable and hardware, connectivity solutions, fusion splicers, and test and inspection equipment. Guided by customer-focused and community-centered values, the company operates manufacturing facilities worldwide and provides a comprehensive portfolio of services supporting network infrastructure, data centers, broadband expansion, wireless and power grid modernization.

About Women in Manufacturing

The Women in Manufacturing Association (WiM) is a global trade association dedicated to supporting, promoting and inspiring women who have chosen a career in the manufacturing industry. It provides year-round support to more than 34,000 individual members representing more than 3,000 manufacturing companies from 50 U.S. states and 75 countries. WiM encompasses manufacturers of all types and welcomes individuals from every job function—from production to the C-suite. Membership is available to anyone working within or with the manufacturing sector.

The WiM Education Foundation (WiMEF) is the 501(c)(3) partner of the Women in Manufacturing Association, a 34,000-member national and global trade association dedicated to supporting, promoting and inspiring women who have chosen a career in manufacturing. WiMEF provides and supports effective and affordable educational opportunities to advance women working in manufacturing. WiMEF programs are designed for women and are open to anyone looking to build their skills, invest in their leadership potential, and strengthen the manufacturing sector. For more information, visit www.wimef.org and www.womeninmanufacturing.org.

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Source: AFL