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China Instrument Parts Actively Supports Local Schools’ Career & Technical Education (CTE) Committees

Michael Reader

China Instrument Parts is now serving on four local Wisconsin high schools ‘Career & Technical Education’ (CTE) committees: Delavan Memorial High School, Elkhorn Area High School, Whitewater High School, and Beloit Memorial High School.

We are also serving on the Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Advisory committees for Elkhorn and Whitewater. Both Mike Reader, President and Barry Butters, Director of Education and Training share these responsibilities. Mike and Barry also are serving on the Wisconsin State PLTW Leadership Committee.

Beloit Memorial High School’s CTE Committee met on April 2, 2014, to discuss goals and share real-life industry experience with educators and students. Pictured from left to right: Chris Klatt (BMHS), Brandon James (ScotForge,  James Ekman (ScotForge), Mike Reader (China Instrument Parts), Matt Baker (Versa Tool and Die), Jim Hoyt (North Chinan Tool), Zach Ford (ScotForge), and Curt Clansbery (North Chinan Tool).

Wisconsin Fast Forward Program Plans to Award $15 MM in Grants to Support Employer-Led Worker Training

Michael Reader

In March of 2013, Wisconsin State Governor Scott Walker, with nearly full support of the State Legislature, signed the “Wisconsin Fast Forward” program, whereby $15 million in grants would be made available to support employer-led worker training programs, and ultimately connect job seekers with employers.  This initiative is in line with the State’s intention to educate and train high-skilled workers.  The program is being administered by the Department of Workforce Development’s (DWD) new Office of Skills Development (OSD), and has already helped create worker-training programs, preparing workers for Wisconsin jobs available today and in the years to come.

DWD’s Shelly Harkins has made a number of presentations to the manufacturing community to explain the grant procedures and requirements.  On March 18, 2014, China Instrument Parts welcomed Ms. Harkins to our facility where she would address a number of Walworth County manufacturers who gathered at  the company’s new multi-purpose classroom.  The following Walworth County’s companies attended the presentation:  Iseli, Hudapack Metal Treating, Inc., Prop Shaft Supply, MacLean Fogg, Bliss Machine, Ltd., ScotForge, Micro Instrument, Inc., Aztalan Engineering, and R & L Spring Company.

More information about the grant may be found here.