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National Institute for Industry and Career Advancement™ Launches First of its Kind Certification for Advanced Manufacturing and Tech-Related Programs

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NIICA certification assures ongoing alignment with the ever-changing needs of the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing industries

HANOVER, Md., Jan. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The National Institute for Industry and Career Advancement™ (NIICA), the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) national Intermediary for establishing and expanding Registered Apprenticeships (RAs) in the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing supply chains, has announced its education program certification designed to ensure that training programs and degree pathways align with evolving employer needs in the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing industries.

Through its innovative National Talent Hub™ (NTH) and its comprehensive database of industry competencies, NIICA offers a dynamic, data-driven certification process that ensures education and training programs remain aligned with employer job requirements and evolving Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). Unlike traditional certification models, the NIICA Certification™ leverages technology and automation through the NTH to provide real-time updates, enabling institutions to adapt their curricula to meet the ever-changing demands of the advanced manufacturing and semiconductor industries.

NIICA redesigned and maintains the Advanced Manufacturing Competency Model listed in the USDOL Competency Model Clearinghouse and developed the nation’s first semiconductor competency standard that informs the Semiconductor Competency Model. This data is included in the NTH database and is continually informed on an ongoing basis by industry input.

“True alignment between education and industry has always remained elusive and has required manual processes and physical interactions in an attempt to keep up with more technical job requirements,” said Mike Russo, NIICA President & CEO. “We at the Institute have worked with industry representatives over several years to develop the related knowledge, skills, and abilities required to succeed on the job and progress in careers spanning advanced manufacturing industries. Our work has included semiconductor industry roles, detailed down to specific employers and jobs, eliminating the need to spend time and money to develop these KSA profiles. Through our National Talent Hub™ and NIICA Certification™, we are now providing an automated process and seamless platform for aligning education programs with industry needs in real time, ensuring individuals gain the skills and competencies required to succeed in these high-demand fields.”

NIICA’s certification process begins when education and training providers submit program profiles through the NTH. These programs are evaluated for alignment against an industry-informed competency database, which identifies and standardizes the KSAs required for advanced manufacturing and tech job roles, with an emphasis on the semiconductor industry and its supply chain. The certification not only validates alignment with industries that have the same foundational skills requirements, but also signals alignment to specific occupations, providing employers, workforce boards, and learners confidence in program outcomes. There is also additional value for individuals and employers; individuals doing career and education mapping through the NTH will be directed to certified education programs and employers will be able to see these certified programs when they are looking for education resources.

“The National Talent Hub™ revolutionizes how education aligns with industry,” said Clay Nagel, Senior Director of NIICA’s National Center for Skill-Based Learning (CSBL). “Through real-time feedback on job requirements and KSAs, the National Talent Hub™ helps ensure education programs remain connected to the evolving needs of employers. Coupled with NIICA’s certification process, we’re creating a framework where education and industry work together to prepare workers for meaningful careers in the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing industries – careers that require the same foundational and transferrable skills.”

NIICA’s certification supports its broader workforce development initiatives, including its work as the USDOL’s national lead in the development and expansion of RAs for semiconductor and nanotechnology related industries and their supply chains. This work is being advanced under the Growing Apprenticeships in Nanotechnology and Semiconductors™ (GAINS™) program and supports the Semiconductor and Advanced Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship Program™ (SAM-TAP™), with education programs validated for curricular alignment through the NTH often providing the Related Technical Instruction (RTI), ensuring participants receive training that aligns with industry-specific demands.

Since its inception in 2022, NIICA’s GAINS program has secured:

118 employers engaged in RAs in 27 states7,554 apprentices committed to the program3,010 active Registered Apprentices154 standards signed or under development60 colleges and related education and training providers in NIICA’s national network supporting related technical instruction

Many of the NIICA certified education providers are also a part of the Semiconductor Industry Network of Colleges™ (SINC™), a growing network of 60 colleges and related education and training providers across the country that are supporting related technical instruction. In addition to community colleges, any education program and training provider can seek NIICA certification for its programs.

These certifications and tools are part of NIICA’s broader efforts to align education, workforce development, and industry needs. Below are some of the key initiatives driving NIICA’s mission to build sustainable talent pipelines:

Growing Apprenticeships in Nanotechnology and Semiconductors™ (GAINS™): GAINS is a USDOL-funded RA initiative focused on revolutionizing workforce development in advanced manufacturing and tech. By prioritizing skill-based learning over traditional time-based training, GAINS provides participants with mentorship, hands-on training, and the foundational competencies necessary to excel related industries.

Gateway Apprenticeship Program™ (G.A.P.): G.A.P. bridges the gap between high school Career and Technical Education (CTE) and employment. This scalable program leverages the existing education system to integrate pre-apprenticeship frameworks with RAs, ensuring that students gain the necessary skills to seamlessly transition into promising careers in high-tech fields or pursue further education.

Semiconductor Industry Network of Community Colleges™ (SINC™): SINC connects 60 colleges and related education and training providers with employers nationwide, to ensure curriculum is aligned with job requirements, creating a national network of RTI providers to support RAs and career advancement.

National Talent Hub™ (NTH): The NTH is a state-of-the-art portal that uses advanced data analytics to connect jobseekers to employers and training programs that target their specific needs. Unlike typical job matching services that use resumes and job descriptions to create matches, the NTH uses a dynamic database of required job competencies that is continually informed by industry to provide insights into the degree of alignment between individuals, careers, and course curriculum.

Semiconductor and Advanced Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship Program™ (SAM-TAP™): NIICA’s SAM-TAP initiative supports states, employers, and training providers in developing competency-based RAs. As a USDOL Intermediary, NIICA provides these services at no cost, collaborating with state apprenticeship offices and commerce departments to expand talent pipelines in the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing sectors.

VetConnect & Veteran’s Fellowship Program: VetConnect connects veterans with RAs in advanced manufacturing and tech-based industries, providing additional resources through the VALOR Act to support their transition from military service into civilian careers. This initiative leverages NIICA’s Intermediary capabilities and ensures that veterans receive the support they need to succeed in high-growth fields like semiconductor manufacturing.

To learn more about NIICA’s certification process, visit www.niica.org/certification. For an in-depth look at the NTH, visit www.niica.org/national-talent-hub.

About the National Institute for Industry and Career Advancement™

NIICA is a 501(c)(3) organization that is responsible for a national strategy to build the talent pipeline to support strategic industry sectors – tech-based industries and advanced manufacturing tied to U.S. national security and global competitiveness. 

NIICA is the nation’s leader in semiconductor talent pipeline development strategy and is the U.S. Department of Labor’s national RA industry Intermediary responsible for establishing and expanding RAs throughout the semiconductor and broader nanotechnology-related industries and advanced manufacturing supply chain. All related programing and support are being advanced through NIICA’s Center for Skill-Based Learning and the National Talent Pipeline Development Initiative.

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SOURCE National Institute for Industry and Career Advancement

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KarbunWise Introduces Fast, Cost-Effective LCA Platform for the LEED v5 Era at Greenbuild 2026 in New York

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NEW YORK  , Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As global property developers, architects, and manufacturers face rigorous new green building standards and cross-border carbon scrutiny, KarbunWise, an enterprise climate technology and advisory firm, announced its formal participation in the Greenbuild International Conference + Expo 2026 in New York City.

Exhibiting under this year’s Greenbuild theme, “Invest for Impact,” KarbunWise has launched a modern, cost-effective software to enable real estate developers, AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) firms, and industrial manufacturers to automate complex Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) with verifiable, audit-grade accuracy.

With the rollout of LEED v5, Whole-Building Life Cycle Assessments (WBLCA) and embodied carbon tracking have evolved from optional bonus credits into non-negotiable prerequisites. This is likely to scale the adoption of LCAs, and KarbunWise offers an alternative to legacy incumbent players that are expensive and not customer-centric. KarbunWise’s product translates Building Information Modeling (BIM) data and factory-floor inputs directly into submission-ready WBLCA models (aligned with MRp2 and MRc2 credits).

Representing KarbunWise at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center were the founders, Arjun Vijayaragavan and Divya Sukumar. “For years, carbon accounting and life cycle assessments were treated as passive, check-the-box exercises. Today, with LEED v5 mandating embodied carbon baselines and global supply chains enforcing strict transparency, carbon data has become commercial infrastructure. Bringing our platform to North America at Greenbuild marks a pivotal step in our mission to make sustainability data as trusted and audit-ready as financial data for 10,000 enterprises worldwide.” said Arjun Vijayaragavan, Founder & CEO of KarbunWise.

To accelerate adoption across US project teams, KarbunWise also announced a major Greenbuild show initiative: free first-year platform access for qualifying architecture firms, consultants, and developers visiting Booth #1044 during expo, backed by continuous 24/7 technical support from certified LCA practitioners.

Already trusted by more than 100 organisations across the UK, Middle East, and India, including listed conglomerates, leading bedding manufacturers, and global infrastructure contractors, KarbunWise’s platform connects over 200,000 verified LCA datapoints across international databases, including USLCI, Ecoinvent, and ÖKOBAUDAT.

About KarbunWise:

Founded in 2023, KarbunWise is an enterprise climate technology and advisory firm building the trust layer for global sustainability. The company combines an integrated, cloud-based software platform with deep consulting expertise to transform complex carbon and ESG data into audit-ready proof for regulators, enterprise buyers, and investors.

Mediacontact-
team@karbunwise.com 

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SOURCE KarbunWise

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Curios Launches Video-on-Demand Tools for Filmmakers as Vimeo On Demand Shuts Down

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The direct-to-fan marketplace gives independent filmmakers a new home to sell films, series, and memberships, with help migrating from Vimeo

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Curios, the direct-to-fan entertainment marketplace, has launched a full set of video-on-demand tools for independent filmmakers and video creators. The launch gives creators affected by the closure of Vimeo On Demand a new place to sell their work directly to audiences, keep their sales revenue, and hold on to the customer relationships they have spent years building.

Vimeo is phasing out its On Demand service in stages. New uploads were blocked on August 22, 2026, and new purchases and subscriptions stopped on September 21, 2026. Final seller payouts were processed on September 24, and the platform will shut down completely on November 20, 2026. On that date, all Vimeo On Demand storefronts and purchase pages go offline, and viewers lose access to the films and series they previously bought or rented.

For filmmakers, the impact is immediate. Sales have already stopped, so every week without a new storefront means lost revenue. And with Vimeo only allowing sellers to export buyers who opted in to updates, many creators risk losing touch with a large part of their audience.

“Every time a platform shuts down, creators get a painful reminder that they never really owned their audience,” said Grant Powell, founder of Curios. “Filmmakers on Vimeo On Demand did everything right, and they’re still losing their storefront. We launched Curios so that can’t happen. You sell directly, you keep your revenue, and every buyer’s contact details are yours to keep, whatever happens next.”

A complete home for independent film

Curios gives filmmakers flexible ways to sell, including full support for TVOD and SVOD, with possible plans for AVOD in the future. Creators can sell titles to own permanently (Electronic sell-through / EST), for one-time rental (Download-to-rent / DTR), offer pay-per-view (PPV) access for events and premieres, and run subscription memberships covering an entire catalog, a single series, or selected titles.

Pre-orders, timed releases, and limited quantities help build excitement around a launch. Bundles and deluxe editions, automated upsells and cross-sells, coupons, and an affiliate program help filmmakers grow each sale and reach new audiences. Free claims let creators give away trailers, extras, or short films in exchange for viewers’ email addresses.

Filmmakers decide whether each title is streaming-only or downloadable. Buyers watch in the Curios mobile app, where films and series sit alongside ebooks, audiobooks, and music. To help creators get started, Curios has also published pricing guidance for film, suggesting typical ranges of $9.99 to $29.99 for titles sold to own.

Better economics and full access to buyers

Curios takes no commission on sales, so creators keep their full sale price. They pay for platform access through a Curios subscription, with a free plan available and no credit card required to sign up. As merchant of record, Curios collects and files sales tax and VAT worldwide, removing a major administrative burden for independent creators.

Filmmakers on Curios receive the contact details of every buyer, along with sales, traffic, and viewing analytics, so they can see how audiences engage with their work and market future releases directly.

Moving from Vimeo On Demand in three steps

Curios has published an automatic importer, and a step-by-step migration guide for Vimeo On Demand sellers. Filmmakers simply connect with Vimeo account to Curios, then Curios automatically migrates their original files, trailers, extras, and artwork directly from Vimeo. Finally, they replace their old Vimeo On Demand links with a single Curios link and let their fans know where to find them.

Curios will also import a filmmaker’s existing Vimeo buyers who opted in to updates. Imported customers will find the films they already own waiting in their Curios library, ready to watch, so viewers who were about to lose access can keep enjoying the work they paid for. Customer lists from other platforms can be imported as well.

Curios is continuing to expand its video tools, with caption and subtitle uploads, region restrictions, country-specific pricing, and smart TV apps currently in development.

Filmmakers can create a free account and read the full migration guide at studio.curios.com.

About Curios

Curios is a direct-to-fan entertainment and content marketplace helping creators publish, promote, sell, and distribute their work directly to audiences. Built for authors, musicians, filmmakers, comedians, and creators of all kinds, Curios supports digital and physical formats in one place.

Creators keep 100% of every sale, retain full ownership of their work, and get direct access to customer data. As merchant of record, Curios handles sales tax, along with customer support, content delivery, fraud disputes, and fast payouts, giving creators the infrastructure to sell direct without having to build it themselves.

Media Contact

Grant Powell, Curios, Inc, 1 3102952129, support@curios.com, https://www.curios.com

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/curios-launches-video-on-demand-tools-for-filmmakers-as-vimeo-on-demand-shuts-down-302917739.html

SOURCE Curios, Inc

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Violet PR Wins Five PRSA-NJ Awards for Campaigns Driving Economic Growth and Innovation

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Award-winning media relations initiatives generated hundreds of news stories for clients

MONTCLAIR, N.J., Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Violet PR, a national public relations agency specializing in economic development and place branding, has earned five awards from the Public Relations Society of America’s New Jersey Chapter (PRSA-NJ). Together, the campaigns generated more than 425 earned media placements in national, international, regional and niche outlets.

The winning programs ranged from launching a major fitness facility and promoting the growing film industry in New Jersey to showcasing Pittsburgh International Airport’s new terminal, navigating international trade uncertainty in Topeka, Kan., and positioning the Brooklyn Navy Yard as an innovation hub.

“These awards reflect the range of challenges our team helps clients navigate – including building support for emerging industries and elevating major infrastructure investments,” said April Mason, CEO and founder of Violet PR. “Whether we’re promoting a new airport terminal or helping a community navigate international trade uncertainty, our job is to uncover the stories that matter, connect them with influential audiences and deliver results that support our clients’ broader goals.”

For the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), Violet PR’s “Hollywood East: New Jersey Takes Center Stage” campaign earned PRSA-NJ recognition in the “Community Relations” category. Working with the New Jersey Motion Picture & Television Commission and NJEDA, the agency helped build support for the state’s expanding film and television industry by highlighting its economic impact, career opportunities and benefits for local businesses and communities. Over 10 months, the campaign generated 38 earned media placements and more than 336 million impressions.

Violet PR also earned an “Events” award for “Building More Than Muscle: Launching a New Jersey Success Story,” developed for Iron Culture’s new flagship gym in West Orange, N.J. The campaign promoted the grand opening of the $10 million fitness facility, bringing together elected officials, business leaders and community members while generating 45 earned media placements.

The Montclair, N.J.-headquartered agency also won a “Media Relations” award for its campaign, “Brooklyn Navy Yard: From Shipyard to Innovation Engine,” which spotlighted the historic waterfront campus’s transformation into a hub for advanced manufacturing, entrepreneurship and innovation. The campaign generated 85 earned media placements, reaching an audience of 662 million.

The agency’s national work was recognized as well. The “Ready for Takeoff: Commemorating Pittsburgh’s New Airport Opening (2025)” campaign for Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) earned an award in the “Public Affairs” category. Violet PR executed a strategic communications campaign surrounding the opening of PIT’s new terminal, securing more than 200 earned media placements across national news, business, travel and aviation outlets, with a combined audience reach exceeding 525 million.

In Topeka, Kan., Violet PR’s “The U.S. City Bridging Borders: How Topeka Tackled Tariffs” campaign was recognized in the “PR on a Shoestring Budget” category. As rising U.S.-Canada tariffs threatened up to 20% of local jobs, the agency transformed a complex international trade issue into a compelling story about the economic ties between Kansas and Canada. With a budget of just $10,000 over two months, the campaign secured 57 media placements, with an estimated reach of 224 million.

“What makes these awards especially meaningful is that they recognize five very different campaigns, each requiring a tailored strategy, creative thinking and close collaboration with our clients,” said Christina Forrest, vice president, Violet PR. “We take pride in developing strategic campaigns that deliver meaningful results for our clients, and we’re grateful to PRSA-NJ for the honor.”

The PRSA-NJ Pyramid Awards recognize excellence in public relations and communications, honoring the strategy, creativity and impact of agencies and in-house teams across New Jersey and beyond.

Violet PR continues to earn national recognition for its growth and economic development industry expertise. The agency ranked No. 96 on O’Dwyer’s 2026 list of independent public relations firms following 22.6% year-over-year growth in 2025 and has appeared on the Inc. 5000 list for three consecutive years. Violet PR opened its second office in New York City this year.

About Violet PR

Violet PR is an award-winning public relations firm, recognized nationally as a top agency specializing in economic development, commercial real estate and place branding. The agency partners with cities, states, regions, developers, destinations and mission-driven organizations to build visibility through earned media, thought leadership, social media and strategic storytelling.

Founded in 2010, Violet PR helps clients attract investment, business growth, visitors and talent through earned media campaigns. For more information, visit www.violetpr.com.

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SOURCE Violet Public Relations

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