Investing in the Future Workforce – EAHS Technical Education
In the spring of 2015, the community of Elkhorn, Wisconsin, was asked to vote on a school referendum to the tune of $20,420,000. This was a serious decision for voters in the midst of much economic uncertainty, but the community responded with 62.8% of the votes in favor of the school investment that would update the infrastructure, most notably, the reinvestment in the Technical Education wing of the high school building.
For many years, Wisconsin schools had strong Tech-Ed programs that taught valuable skills such as wood and metal working, automotive and welding technology. Most of these programs were phased out over the last 20 or so years as less value has been on them and enrollment numbers dwindled. The message to our young adults was that these career fields were no longer needed, or that they were not able to provide good wages. The perception became that a four-year degree was the only path to success, regardless of the area of study. This belief increased the demand for four-year programs, and the natural consequence was the escalating cost of obtaining a degree. What followed baffled the education community: these well-read students that had invested sometimes $100,000 or more over four, five, or even six years could not find rewarding employment.
The reality was by incentivizing only one path of education, our society had dismissed technical careers as only for those not smart enough for desk jobs. With value attached only on getting accepted into the “right” four-year college and getting a high-paying white collar job, society was actually doing a disservice to students and communities. For one, it told kids that had natural skills and a passion that would have led them to a vocational education, that it wasn’t a suitable path. This is unfair to the child and destructive to society, as we have learned what the skills gap in the manufacturing industry can do to our economy.
The Elkhorn school referendum included significant funds to renovate the Technical Education wing at Elkhorn Area High School (EAHS), and over the next 16 months the school leadership team crafted a plan to implement meaningful curriculum and modern technology, as well as the enthusiasm of the instructors. The result is truly remarkable. On October 2nd, EAHS held an open house for community members to see the newly renovated Tech-Ed wing. It was wonderful to see the rebirth of Tech-Ed in our local school district, thanks to the support of our community and school leadership.
The once dated woodworking classroom now has updated lighting, a new 4×8 foot CNC Router, and a full complement of planers, joiners and other hand tools, and is led by instructor Carl Bjorge. There have also been numerous improvements to the Metals lab, where six brand new Hardinge mills and six Kent lathes have been added, allowing students to learn how to cut metal with manual machines. While these two platforms are the staple of machining, and one must master the fundamentals before moving on to CNC machines, those were not left out either. The leadership team did not ignore the need to provide a CNC experience to the students. They made sure to place a large CNC mill and CNC lathe in the room through the support of the Haas Corporation. Leading this program, as wells as the welding program, is first-year instructor Mike Thomas. Mike has spent more than 20 years working at a local manufacturing firm as the plant manager, and it is exciting to see someone with his experience teaching students.
There has been a much talked about shortage of skilled welders in our country, but EAHS is now ready to help solve that problem with 20 brand new welding booths, outfitted with the very best equipment from Miller Electric. The new additions include a state of the art welding instruction station. The welding curriculum includes MIG, TIG, Oxy Fuel Welding (OFW), and stick welding.
Part of the tour also included a visit to the improved Automotive Tech Lab, where attendees saw new and much safer lifts, new diagnostic equipment, and fresh paint. Austin Thorson is the Automotive Technology teacher and is yet another example of a passionate instructor that inspires students through his hard work and dedication.
Promoting STEM programs and Tech-Ed programs in our schools should be highly valued and effectively implemented. Better yet, if we can get both programs working together, this can yield amazing results. Returning to EAHS is long time math and PLTW instructor Barry Butters. Barry spent two years with China Instrument Parts, as our Director of Education and Training, before passing the baton to Mark Beilman. Mark, who has been with us for over a year now, came to us with several years of experience as a Tech-Ed teacher, and we value all that he brings to our team. Our community should be grateful for instructors like Barry, Carl, Mike, and Austin, along with the staff at the Elkhorn Area School District who look to provide real career pathways for engaged students. Also to be commended is JoAnne Pella, Career & Technical Education Coordinator, who has championed student and industry partnerships for many years.
Changing the public relations challenge of manufacturing job misperceptions will take time, but it has become clear in recent years that schools are returning to Technical Education as an important component of the overall education experience. For this we are delighted, and China Instrument Parts feels that our efforts to raise awareness are finally gaining traction. The new Academic & Career Planning process from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) asks students and parents alike to evaluate curriculum, career options, and estimated total education costs and expected benefits. Programs like this really get students to think about their future. When programs provided by schools like EAHS introduce students and parents to skills that are in high demand with great earnings potential at this age, it allows the legitimization of vocational education in a way we haven’t seen in a long time. It is a wonderful thing to see at a local level. These programs will understandably feed right into our Gateway Technical College program at the RPM center on the Elkhorn campus, and possibly into MSOE for those that wish to pursue a four-year degree. This can be a pathway to prosperity for many. Please get involved and ask how you can help make a difference for our young adults.
