CEO Gives $500K to Build Middle Class Manufacturing Jobs

Charles Shor built the world's largest paper bag manufacturing company, but he never forgot where his first factory stood. Now the retired CEO is giving back to Ludlow, Kentucky with a $500,000 donation to train the next generation of skilled workers.

Shor's gift launched SME PRIME at Ludlow High School this spring, bringing industrial robots, 3D printers, welding systems, and CNC machines to 26 students. The program partners high schools with local manufacturers to create custom training that leads to real middle-class careers.

"We need jobs that create our Middle Class," Shor told reporters at Friday's celebration. His motivation runs deeper than business nostalgia. After being kidnapped at age 27, he felt he owed something meaningful to his country.

The numbers drove his decision too. China has 75 percent of its population working in middle-class jobs, while the United States lags below 50 percent. Shor sees manufacturing training as the bridge to close that gap.

The program works because it asks local companies what skills they actually need. Eight Northern Kentucky manufacturers partnered with Ludlow High to shape the curriculum, including National Band, Meyer Tool, and Balluff Inc. Students earn industry-recognized certifications while still in eighth grade.

Grayson Puckett, an eighth grader in the program, is already planning his engineering career. "This program helps me expand my knowledge in my chosen field," he said. He credits the teamwork structure for teaching him how to communicate with future colleagues.

His classmate Adia Bradd joined based on her career interests identified by teachers. She's one of 11 students in her class learning precision measurement, additive manufacturing, and mechatronics alongside regular coursework.

The Ripple Effect

SME PRIME now operates in 133 schools across 27 states, serving over 15,000 students. The SME Education Foundation has awarded $18 million in scholarships to more than 5,000 future manufacturing professionals since 2005.

Each program is tailored to local industry needs and aligned with over 45 industry certifications. Students graduate with credentials that manufacturers actually recognize and value, not just a diploma.

The model fills a critical gap as manufacturing jobs go unfilled across America. By connecting classrooms directly with factory floors, schools prepare students for careers that offer stable paychecks and upward mobility.

Ludlow's program debuted in fall 2025, and every student has already earned multiple certifications. They're learning skills that will keep them employed for decades, building products and supporting families in the community where Shor started his own journey.

One gift, 26 students, and a vision for rebuilding America's middle class, one high school at a time.