Page 18 - MTWIFallWinter2024

18 eleCtroniC edition: WWW.ManufaCturingtodayWi.CoM

Milton redhawk Manufacturing

nology education at Milton high school have produce several take home projects along with
undergone a complete rewrite and rebranding practicing GMaW welding skills. the young
process, which has resulted in major growth in women were treated to a “lunch and learn”
all areas: session each day where they were able to learn
the welding and manufacturing course about careers available from our industry part-
enrollment alone went from 158 to 220, which ners. to wrap up the week-long workshop we
is an increase of 62 students in the courses since held a roundtable event where women from
last school year. We have used this momentum industry were able to talk about their experi-
to apply for grants and in-kind donations from ences within the trades and what it has meant
our industry partners over the last two years. to them.
the school district of Milton has been When Mr. schindler started, we only had
awarded the aWs Welding Workforce Grant 2 or 3 industry partners. he has grown that to
for just over $24,000. those funds were used 12 active partners, who can be called on at any
to update some electrical and to add 6 Miller given time to collaborate on projects and shop AWS SENSE level 1 certification, which is a
Multimatic 220 welders to the shop. this has initiatives. his extensive ties to the local com- great achievement for our students. being a one-
increased the abilities within each of our welding munity have afforded him the opportunity to to-one district our students are able to utilize
booths taking us from 7 sMaW machines to 13 grow these partnerships. computer programs like autodesk Fusion 360
as well as adding GtaW and GMaW with the We have also increased our number of to create designs that they are able to cut on the
newer machines. Youth apprenticeship opportunities over the new plasma table. this takes the students from
another Milton instructor, Mason Pautsch, last two years and are actively working with our only using their hands in the shop environment,
authored a dWd Workforce development partners to grow that part of our program even to using technology that will be useful to them
Tech Ed Department, Grant, which was used to replace our old 4' x more. in the future as we add more CNC equipment
to the shop here at Milton high school and as
Milton High School 4' PlasmaCam table with a newer larger 4' x 8' Our students are the biggest beneficiaries we continue to grow and improve our program.
our manufacturing and welding program boss CNC plasma table. to all of this hard work and dedication by our
has been experiencing a bit of a rebirth/ growth to help increase awareness and grow our instructors. students are able to take up to 6
phase over the last two years since coming program we also offered a summer Welding different manufacturing and welding courses
under the new instructor, terry schindler. Workshop for Girls. We had 26 participants who here at Milton high school. Most students will www.milton.k12.wi.us
the programming for all areas of tech- were able to learn about the field of welding and complete the capstone courses earning them the

Blackhawk technical College unveils innovative Manufacturing education

Center (iMeC), Boosting local Workforce development

experience in the skills they’ll need to excel ensures the facility meets the technical and
in their careers. the curriculum integrates spatial demands of modern manufacturing.
both technical skills and problem-solving one unique feature of iMeC is its
abilities, ensuring that graduates are prepared emphasis on fostering adaptability among
for various roles in an evolving industry land- students. as technology reshapes manufactur-
scape. ing, workers must be prepared to embrace new
the facility was made possible through methods and tools. by simulating a dynamic
strong community partnerships and financial work environment, iMeC allows students to
support. A significant $7 million investment hone their technical skills, expand their adapt-
from the blackhawk technical College Foun- ability, and build confidence in an industry
dation played a crucial role in bringing this constantly transformed by innovation.
vision to life, along with contributions from local industries in rock County are
local businesses, including Prent Corporation. expected to benefit from the influx of well-
their support underscores the importance trained graduates ready to take on roles in
of iMeC in strengthening local workforce manufacturing, one of the area’s most robust
pipelines and sustaining rock County’s manu- sectors. iMeC aligns directly with regional
facturing sector. economic goals by meeting employers’ needs
according to blackhawk President dr. for skilled workers and by supporting students
tracy Pierner, iMeC not only embodies the who wish to enter high-paying, stable careers.
college’s dedication to educational excellence the opening of iMeC is a milestone
but also demonstrates a forward-thinking for blackhawk technical College and the
blackhawk technical College recently ages and supporting the region’s economic approach to workforce development. community it serves. as rock County’s
celebrated the opening of its state-of-the-art growth by fostering a highly skilled manufac- “iMeC is more than a facility,” he noted. manufacturing industry continues to grow,
innovative Manufacturing education Center turing workforce. “it’s a bridge between education and employ- the center is poised to serve as a catalyst for
(iMeC) on its main campus in Janesville, iMeC offers hands-on training in modern ment, enabling our students to gain invaluable innovation and economic resilience, fostering
Wisconsin. this advanced, 45,000-square-foot manufacturing technologies such as robotics, skills while responding to the needs of our a workforce ready to meet current and future
facility is purpose-built to equip students with computer numerical control (CNC) machin- community.” demands. With iMeC, blackhawk technical
in-demand manufacturing skills, aligning edu- ing, welding, and advanced manufacturing the center was designed by angus- College takes a definitive step in transform-
cational experiences closely with real-world processes. With workspaces and technology Young associates and constructed by JP ing manufacturing education, bridging the gap
industry needs. iMeC represents blackhawk’s designed to mimic current manufacturing Cullen, both well-regarded for their expertise between traditional learning and the high-tech
commitment to addressing workforce short- environments, IMEC gives students firsthand
in educational and industrial projects, which demands of modern industry.