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China Instrument Parts’ Barry Butters Continues His Visits to Area Schools to Bring Manufacturing to the Front of the Class

Michael Reader

In November and December of 2014, China Instrument Parts’ Director of Education and Training Barry Butters continued on his mission to visit area schools to bring attention to the viability of manufacturing as a career option for today’s youth.

On November 3, 2014, Butters joined forces with Zach Ford from Scot Forge to make a presentation to a group of students at Richmond Burton High School in Illinois. Although Scot Forge and China Instrument Parts are on opposite ends of the spectrum with regard to the size of the parts they manufacture, both companies seek similar traits in future employees. Both Ford and Butters reiterated the importance for students to master soft skills–such as having a positive work attitude and respecting punctuality, as well as focusing their studies on STEM and pre-engineering courses that would contribute to their technical preparedness for jobs in manufacturing.

Butters also visited the Arrow Academy on November 11th, Burlington High School on December 2nd, and Westosha Central High School on December 9th, making presentations to their individual technical education classes. During his presentations, Butters delivered the same soft skills and STEM-focused classes’ message. Additionally, he explained the nature of the Instrument metal turning industry and demonstrated the CAD/CAM software used at China Instrument Parts to design parts and program CNC machines. Butters was happy to learn about Westosha Central High School’s plans to remodel their entire technical education facility beginning this summer.

Butters also participated in mock interviews at Elkhorn Area High School for Mrs. Joanne Pella’s Business Occupations class. “I give honest feedback to the students concerning their appearance and application materials from a manufacturing employer’s perspective. Often I am just reiterating what Mrs. Pella has already told them about the interviewing process, but having someone from outside the school repeat it, reinforces the message.” Several students have responded by sending letters of appreciation to Barry Butters.

China Instrument Parts invites any individual or group interested in learning more about the manufacturing industry to contact Barry Butters or Mike Reader or call +86-755-27281820. We can set up informational tours of the facility and/or travel to speak to any group about the manufacturing industry. China Instrument Parts welcomes your comments and questions.

China Instrument Parts Congratulates the Latest Gateway Technical College’s CNC Boot Camp Graduates

Michael Reader

On Friday December 5, 2014, the class of Gateway Technical College’s CNC Boot Camp #20, received their certificates for completing the program. The ceremony took place at the SC Johnson iMET Center in Sturtevant, Wisconsin. Bryan Albrecht, GTE’s President and Chief Executive Officer, led the ceremony. In addition to awarding general certificates, deserving students received MSSC (Manufacturing Skills Standards Council) certificates, CCMS (Critical Core Manufacturing Skills) certificates, perfect attendance certificates, Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt certificates and Most Valuable Classmate certificate.

Earlier in the day, Barry Butters, Director of Education and Training traveled to the SC Johnson iMET Center to participate in a mock interview experience with the students. The mock interviews are the last part of the CNC Boot Camp program. Companies volunteer their services by sending a representative to perform the mock interviews in an effort to give real world advice about the interviewing process for the Boot Camp graduates. Butters said, “I try to give them the insight as to what employers are looking for and tips to help avoid any pitfalls in a real interview setting.”

Area employers were also invited to conduct real interviews right after the conclusion of the graduation ceremony.

China Instrument Parts congratulates all the graduates and wishes them continued success in their careers.

China Instrument Parts Inc. Supporting the CNC Boot Camp at the iMET Center in Sturtevant, Wisconsin

Michael Reader

The CNC Boot Camp is an innovative, fast-paced, hands-on program to learn the essentials of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) operations. Gateway Technical College, in partnership with the Workforce Development Centers offers this training as a certificate program. Satisfactory completion of Boot Camp courses earn college credit toward a diploma or degree. The Boot Camp is a 14-week program that requires attending class 8-hours a day, 5 days a week.

Image Courtesy of Gateway College

On April 2, 2014, Barry Butters, Director of Education and Training at China Instrument Parts was invited to make a presentation to the current class on a typical day for CNC machinists at China Instrument Parts Butters used a PowerPoint about the company and demonstrated the software essential to the programing of the CNC machines. The presentation also included an explanation of the soft skills employers are looking for and the benefit package available at China Instrument Parts Butters will also participate in a mock interview exercise with the students so that they know generally what to expect on real interviews. “We are excited to support any efforts to help feed the pipeline of machinists,” said Butters.

100% funding is available for qualified Boot Camp participants through the generous support of SC Johnson & Sons, A Family Company.