Posted September 27, 2007
Neenah High School creates manufacturing academy for students
By Duke Behnke
Post-Crescent staff writer
NEENAH — Neenah High School plans to partner with Plexus Corp. and other companies to inspire and prepare students to pursue careers in manufacturing and engineering.
Participating companies would work with the high school to match its curriculum with industry standards, and they would sponsor field trips, job shadowing and internships for students.
"We need to open our doors more and get more industries and community members involved in education," said Mike Elkin, chairman of the school's Technology and Engineering Department.
Neenah High School invited industry representatives to a luncheon Wednesday to gauge interest in its Manufacturing and Engineering Academy, which is scheduled to start with the 2009-10 school year.
The academy would be comparable to the high school's Health Careers Academy started in 2003 and its Automotive Youth Education Systems program started last year.
Supt. James Wiswall said the programs are designed to prepare students for a rapidly changing world.
"We are committed to working with you in making sure our students are ready to help you be successful," Wiswall told industry representatives.
Plexus, a Neenah-based contract manufacturer of electronics and the city's largest employer, has taken a lead role in establishing the Manufacturing and Engineering Academy.
Rick Milanowski, a training process engineer for Plexus, said students would benefit from a relevant curriculum, authentic work experiences and contacts with industry professionals.
He said Plexus would benefit from improved public relations and "an early and increased access to the labor pool in the area."
"If students are interested in the electronics industry, they will now be aware through this program that they have opportunities here in Neenah," Milanowski said. "They don't have to go to Silicon Valley or Chicago or Boston or any other high-tech area."
Tim Pitsch, manager of employee development for Plexus, said for companies to succeed, they must educate, recruit and retain the next generation of employees.
"That's really the kids who are in school today," he said. "If we don't look at how we are going to develop them, we are not going to be successful down the road."
Other companies represented at the luncheon included Appleton Manufacturing, Innovative Machining, Kundinger Fluid Power, Neenah Printing, Pierce Manufacturing Inc. and United Plastics Fabricating Inc.
Officials from Fox Valley Technical College and the University of Wisconsin-Fox Valley and UW-Platteville also were present.
Elkin said the academy would serve students following a school-to-work path and students pursuing two-year or four-year college degrees.
Duke Behnke: 920-729-6622, ext. 32, or dbehnke@postcrescent.com |
