(SME: Los Angeles) -- The Society of Manufacturing Engineers’ WESTEC 2008 Exposition and Conference will take place March 31–April 3 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The largest annual machine tools and advanced manufacturing event in North America, WESTEC connects manufacturing professionals with the latest technology and applications.

There are more than 16,000 manufacturers in Los Angeles County, and WESTEC attracts leaders from a variety of industries important to Southern California, including aerospace and defense, energy, automotive, electronics, medical, and consumer products.

Nearly 600 exhibitors showcasing more than 8 million pounds of state-of-the-art equipment are expected to participate, representing more than 30 different technologies, such as advances in high-speed machining, cutting and tooling, laser systems, welding robotics, and automation, as well as manufacturing technology application and solutions.

“Because Los Angeles employs more people in manufacturing than any other county in the entire United States,” says Zita Collins, WESTEC’s senior show manager, “manufacturing professionals count on WESTEC not just for technology, but for professional advancement, as well.”

WESTEC offers free educational programs, including sessions on comparative technologies, lean principles, and fundamentals in machining process. This year, WESTEC launches a Back-to-Basics theme, highlighting a workforce development program, offering pathways to manufacturing careers, including free educational sessions. For example, WESTEC attendees can watch the entire manufacturing process of a special WESTEC hammer from design to the finished product utilizing CNC mills, lathes, and other power equipment.

Back-to-Basics aims to attract and engage a diversified audience composed of women, new immigrants, displaced workers, noncollege-bound youth, and the existing workforce searching for retraining opportunities.

Alongside the learning demonstrations will be participation of various schools, community colleges, training centers, and institutions in California offering courses and careers in manufacturing and engineering from which attendees will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of career pathways to manufacturing. The program will include a career center for manufacturing companies and employers to conduct on-site interviews and job placements.

For more information, visit www.sme.org/westec or call 800-733-3976.