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Rich Youmans Appointed Executive Director of MJSA Education Foundation
He’s a 26-year veteran of the organization and currently serves as its chief communications officer.
New York—MJSA veteran Rich Youmans is now the executive director of the MJSA Education Foundation, a 501(c)3 subsidiary that supports training and career initiatives for jewelry industry workers.
Youmans is a 26-year veteran of the organization who currently serves as chief communications officer and publisher of MJSA’s print and digital media, including the MJSA Journal, its monthly magazine.
MJSA said he’s also played an integral role developing many of the organization’s educational programs, including the MJSA Journal Live and At the Bench Live seminars, and overseeing the foundation’s scholarship program.
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Youmans is a 26-year veteran of the organization who currently serves as chief communications officer and publisher of MJSA’s print and digital media, including the MJSA Journal, its monthly magazine.
MJSA said he’s also played an integral role developing many of the organization’s educational programs, including the MJSA Journal Live and At the Bench Live seminars, and overseeing the foundation’s scholarship program.
As executive director of the Education Foundation, he’ll work to advance its educational efforts, which include the recently launched MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program.
Supported by a JCK Industry Fund grant, the program aims to develop the tools needed by businesses to bring on apprentices and train them properly.
Nanz Aalund, author of “A Jeweler’s Guide to Apprenticeships,” is now developing a competency-based occupational framework for bench jewelers that, when completed, will have the first nationally recognized standards and training procedures.
“Rich has always had a passion for education, and his experience in publishing and disseminating information has dovetailed nicely with MJSA’s efforts to provide relevant technical and business education,” MJSA President and CEO David W. Cochran said.
“Under his direction and with the guidance of the foundation’s chair, Steve Cipolla, the MJSA Education Foundation will be able to accelerate its drive to foster the next generation of jewelers and maintain a competitive workforce.”
For more about the MJSA Education Foundation and its initiatives, visit the Career Connections section on MJSA.org.
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