Page 16 - TTWISummer2024

CTE / Construction
Page 16 Electronic Edition: www .teachingtodaywi .com

It’s Hands’ On with Apprenticeship at Muskego

High School includes dedicated spaces for
engineering, manufacturing, automotives, art,
construction, welding, robotics, Project Lead
the Way, and culinary arts. With the UBC,
Josh Radovich is working in a carpentry
pre-apprenticeship and youth apprenticeship
program, and Veronica Soderberg is working
as a civil engineer youth apprentice.
What does your day look like?
Veronica — I work on a variety of dif-
ferent tasks in the construction trailer on-site,
like checking submittals and going over shop
drawings to see if they meet standards. A lot
of my work is organization, keeping files, and
updating drawings when the architect needs
them. My mentor gives me a lot of guidance
and answers all of my questions. It’s all about What have you been learning so far? want to do yet, but I would like to go to college
hands-on learning, so if my mentor is given Veronica — I had no experience with for engineering or construction. I would really
a project, they take time and walk through Microsoft products before, so I’m learning like to do something abroad since I’m inter-
items, like RFIs, step-by-step to make sure I a lot about working in programs like Excel. ested in old architecture and restoration.
Muskego-Norway Schools understand. My mentor is teaching me the ins-and-outs on Josh — After this, I am planning on con-
Construction of the projects approved Josh — I am currently working on the how to read shop drawings and working with tinuing into an apprenticeship program and
in the 2022 facilities referendum at Muskego S.T.e.A.M. facility. I’ll meet with the foreman product data. see where it takes me. Having a job like this
High School and Lakeview elementary are and see what tasks need to be done, and then Josh — The hands-on learning I’m a part is really cool as a senior because in 20 years,
underway with an estimated completion date I’ll go on-site and work on forming or surfing of deals a lot with concrete. I’m learning a I can look back and not only say I went to
of August 2024. Two MHS seniors signed forms so concrete can get poured later in the little bit about everything, from forms to con- school here, but I also helped build it.
contracts and are working on-site, with the day. Working with the crew is great because I’m crete and what materials are in concrete and
construction company, hired to build the new assigned to a construction worker and will stand how that process all works together.
STeAM and health science facilities at their by their side until they see that I understand the What do you want to do after school? muskegonorway.org
school. The STeAM addition at Muskego concept well enough to work on it myself.
Veronica — I’m not exactly sure what I

Pulaski Tech Wing Expansion

space and incorporating cutting-edge equip- prepared.”
ment, including a CNC Fiber Laser and CNC “With increasing our shop areas, PHS
Press Brake, students will gain hands-on expe- will be able to increase the capacity of its tech-
rience processing diverse materials, focusing nology education offerings,” Pitzen said.
on state-of-the-art machinery.” “A new paint booth in autos will allow
The PHS Technology Department is in students to be trained in auto body and repair.
the midst of expansion with more space being Students will be using updated equipment in
added to the Tech Wing. A ground-breaking the metals shop to learn skills needed in the
ceremony was held Feb. 29 for that project. advanced manufacturing field.
Superintendent Allison Space and high school “Also, the existing metals shop will get
principal Matt Smith followed band and choir six more welding booths to allow more stu-
performances with remarks of gratitude and dents to be trained. The addition onto the wood
excitement. shop will be used for construction course so
“Where we are standing, students will students can build any time of the year and
experience hands-on learning in automotive also house some of our CNC equipment,” he
mechanics, electronics, metals fabrication, added.
woods technology, small engine repair and Pulaski High School has around 150 stu-
whatever our instructors and students dream- dents who are in youth apprenticeships with
up. Our students are hungry to learn in these several community partners. These commu-
Pulaski Community School District Multimatic 255, a 5’ x 10’ fabrication table, areas, and we are so grateful to provide them nity partners gave feedback to tech-ed officials
The Pulaski High School Technol- and the building costs were able to be used for with a facility that makes that learning not at Pulaski High School on specific things
ogy Department will soon have some new some of the matching portion. only possible, but guaranteed,” said Allison. they’re looking for, and this new expansion is
cutting-edge equipment thanks to a $50,000 The PCSD was one of 17 districts state- According to Local 5 out of Green Bay, expected to give students just that. The expan-
Department of Workforce Development Wis- wide to benefit from the grants, which will Matt Smith, the principal at Pulaski High sion will give more room to Pulaski High
consin Fast Forward grant. help provide advanced manufacturing training School said, “This is going to add thousands School’s woods and construction space along-
The school district will use grant funds in preparation for high-demand job opportuni- of feet to our existing tech-ed space, and it’s side its metals shop and auto shop.
for an OMTECH CNC Fiber Laser Cutting ties. coming with new equipment that’s going to
Machine. The grant required matching funds. “Our project aims to expand the manu- provide our kids some real-life opportunities.
The matching part of the grant will be used facturing lab, providing students with an This expansion is really going to give our kids
to purchase Baileigh CNC Press Brake, Ellis enriched learning environment for advanced a leg up and be prepared. We’ve got kids that www.pulaskischools.org
Metal Cutting Bandsaw 1600 with vertical manufacturing careers,” said John Pitzen, PHS are going to four-year colleges, wanting to be
table, Ellis Belt Sander 6000, 6 Miller Welders teacher and department chair. “By increasing engineers, architects. They’re going to be well