To the editor:
The state of Wisconsin uses the month of October to recognize manufacturing. The Shawano Community High School Technology Education Department wanted an opportunity to talk about the many changes that have occurred since last school year.
With the new renovations, we were able to create a room specializing in Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) technologies. Two Haas CNC Machines where graciously donated by a local manufacturing facility in Shawano. With the new machines we will be able to teach cutting edge technology to our students to better prepare them for a growing work force. Our welding area also benefited greatly. We now have nine fully equipped welding booths to teach shielded metal arc welding, shielded gas arc welding, and tungsten inert gas welding. This is in addition to six stations for teaching oxyfuel welding. We hosted an open house for our students and their parents on Oct. 2. We will also be hosting a business and community open house later in October.
The following is an insert from the Wisconsin Manufacturing Commerce website. It explains why it is so important for us to educate our students with the knowledge and skill they need to gain employment in a strong manufacturing community.
“Wisconsin’s manufacturing heritage stretches back generations, from its roots in heavy-equipment manufacturing and paper-making in the 19th century to today’s advanced manufacturers who produce cutting-edge, innovative products. Wisconsin’s manufacturing sector contributes nearly $50 billion a year to Wisconsin’s economy and ranks second in the country in the relative size of its manufacturing sector, which employed more than 450,000 workers as of July 2013.”
The following information was taken from an article written in the Fall 2013 Edition of the Manufacturing Today Newsletter.
“Wisconsin’s manufacturing sector employs one out of six Wisconsin workers and accounts for almost 20 percent of the state’s economic output. Wisconsin ranks second in the country in the relative size of its manufacturing sector, with manufacturing employing more than 450,000 people in 2012. Wisconsin manufacturing has moved far beyond the stereotype of the dirty, old-fashioned shop floor. It has been transformed by high-precision, high technology companies in a wide range of fields. It is also an industry that is growing rapidly with exciting, sophisticated job opportunities.”
In closing, we would like to thank our local manufacturing companies and supporters. Without their help the training of our future work force would be very difficult.
Greg Brown, Jeremy Hodkiewicz, Jason Eggert, and Joshua Ericson
SCHS Technology Education Department
Shawano
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