MPMA and Federtec Bridge the Global Skills Gap

Modernized, On-Demand Courses Provide Accessible Gear Education for the Next Generation of Professionals

As the gear and power transmission industries evolve, companies worldwide face a critical challenge: how to ensure the workforce is skilled, prepared, and ready to tackle increasingly complex manufacturing processes. From digital manufacturing and automation to generational turnover, the demand for technically proficient employees has never been higher. In response, the Motion + Power Technology Association (MPMA) redeveloped its Workforce Training Series, modernizing its most popular on-demand courses with updated content, high-quality media, and a flexible, self-paced delivery model.

Now, in collaboration with Italy’s Federtec, the series is available in Italian, expanding access to high-quality, gear-focused education across Europe. The partnership signed in March 2024 allows Italian members to access the translated courses at a discounted rate of $99 (USD), while members of both organizations enjoy free access to the series in English and Italian. The Italian-language courses have been available since July 2025.

Global Collaboration for Workforce Development 

The MPMA-Federtec partnership exemplifies a growing international focus on standardizing and improving technical education in the gear industry. “As the gear and power transmission markets become increasingly interconnected, it’s critical for MPMA to build strong alliances with international counterparts,” says Leah Lewis, MPMA’s senior director of events and education. “Working with Federtec not only expands the reach of our technical and educational resources, but it also fosters a more unified approach to standards development, workforce training, and innovation.”

Sergio Sartori, vice president of Federtec and Federtec Academy, emphasizes the collaborative nature of the initiative: “By joining forces with MPMA, we are building a bridge between two industrial cultures. This partnership strengthens our industries, promotes technological innovation, and prepares the next generation of professionals for global competitiveness.”

Federtec itself has grown into a dynamic hub for Italian industrial excellence. Founded in 2019 from the merger of ASSIOT, the Italian Association of Gear and Transmission Manufacturers, and ASSOFLUID, the Italian association for fluid power equipment, Federtec further expanded its reach in 2022 with the incorporation of FNDI, the National Federation of Industrial Distribution. Today, it represents companies across the mechatronic technology supply chain, supporting members with networking, specialized training, and innovation-focused projects.

Redeveloping the Workforce Training Series 

The Workforce Training Series has long been one of MPMA’s most downloaded resources. Recognizing the need for modernization, MPMA updated the series to reflect the latest technological advancements, improve accessibility, and better meet the needs of contemporary learners.

“These courses are designed to meet gear professionals where they are, whether they’re just entering the industry or looking to sharpen specific skills,” Lewis explains. “The redevelopment focused on making the material more visually engaging and easier to navigate, while ensuring that the technical content remains accurate, up to date, and directly applicable in the field.”

Key updates include:

• High-quality diagrams, schematics, photos, and videos illustrating technical processes.
• On-demand access, allowing learners to complete courses at their own pace.
• Italian-language translations, expanding accessibility for European audiences.

Course Highlights: Technical Skills at Every Level 

The redeveloped series includes several flagship modules, each providing foundational skills as well as practical guidance for immediate application.

Fundamentals of Gearing 2.0 provides a comprehensive overview of the gear industry. The course begins with a brief history of gearing, then proceeds to core concepts such as parallel-axis gear basics, involute tooth forms, diametrical pitch/module, pitch, and pressure angle. The module concludes with a glossary of 37 essential gear terms—ensuring learners have a solid technical vocabulary for both shop floor and engineering environments.

Hobbing 2.0 is designed for machine operators, gear technicians, and engineers. It covers the hobbing process, hob cutting tool terminology, generating gears, hobbing machine terminology, mounting and truing of hobs and workpieces, basic part inspection, and identification of common problems such as tooth size deviations and runout. This practical, application-focused approach helps learners translate theory into daily operational skills.

Parallel Gear Inspection 2.0 focuses on level-one gear inspection. The course introduces measurement categories, single and double flank composite inspection, measurement sequences, and evaluation of gear characteristics. Learners gain insight into when and how to measure gear elements and understand the classification of gear quality, preparing them for real-world quality control tasks.

“These programs are MPMA’s most downloaded courses,” Lewis notes. “We want to make sure they continue to provide the best resource for training new employees on the basics of gear manufacturing. As technology changes, our training must evolve with it.”

Addressing Workforce Challenges Globally 

The MPMA-Federtec partnership also tackles a shared workforce issue: succession planning. Both the U.S. and Italian gear industries face an aging workforce, coupled with a need for new talent to operate advanced machinery and implement digital manufacturing processes. “Succession planning is one of the most pressing challenges facing the gear industry today,” Lewis says. “Through entry-level training, advanced engineering courses, and leadership development programs, we help companies cultivate talent internally while making gear manufacturing an attractive long-term career option.”

Translated courses are particularly valuable for companies with multinational teams. Standardized training ensures employees in different locations share the same knowledge base, which helps improve efficiency, consistency, and overall workforce readiness. The Italian translation of the Workforce Training Series represents a first step toward making MPMA education more inclusive globally, with the potential for additional language offerings in the future.

The Strategic Value of Education 

From Federtec’s perspective, the collaboration underscores the importance of international cooperation in industrial education. “This strategic collaboration unites our strengths and is essential for spreading industrial culture and promoting technological innovation,” says Mauro Rizzolo, Federtec president. “Together, we can share knowledge, experiences, and resources, strengthening the global competitiveness of our companies.”

By combining MPMA’s internationally recognized expertise in gear manufacturing with Federtec’s local knowledge of the Italian industrial ecosystem, the partnership serves as a model for cross-border workforce development. It demonstrates that strategic alliances in education can have a tangible impact on operational excellence, innovation, and global competitiveness.

Looking Ahead 

The Italian-language Workforce Training Series has now been fully integrated with MPMA’s English offerings. Federtec continues to promote the courses among its members, targeting OEMs, suppliers, and training partners alike. As manufacturing continues to globalize, partnerships like this one provide a scalable solution for bridging skills gaps, standardizing knowledge, and preparing the next generation of gear industry professionals.

“The Workforce Training Series is more than just a set of courses,” Lewis concludes. “It’s a pathway to ensure that our industry remains competitive, innovative, and prepared for the future.”

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