Page 7 - TTWINov2020

Manufacturing
Electronic Edition: www.manufacturingtodaywi.com Manufacturing Today Wisconsin | fall, 2020 | page 7

A-Tech prepares High School Students for the World of Work

chemistry behind the materials they’re working cal college and business
Kylie Harwell with. Each student’s education track is tailored leaders, this Appleton
Communications Coordinator to his or her interests, resulting in more indi- Area School District
Appleton Area School District vidual attention. (AASD) charter school
If you’ve ever heard a student ask “When A-Tech was created in response to a need is focused on provid-
will I ever use this in real life?” you already for workers to fill the growing demand for ing serious students with
understand the need for Appleton Technical skilled manufacturing positions in Northeast the skills needed for
Academy (A-Tech). Students learn practical Wisconsin. The manufacturing environment in a successful career in
skills that get applied to real-world situations, the region is strong and growing. Additionally, modern advanced manu-
such as math skills to determine the proper as more and more baby boomers retire, busi- facturing.
angle for a specific laser cut or weld, writing nesses are finding it increasingly difficult to Mark McQuade,
skills to prepare a standout cover letter and find qualified workers to replace the retirees. A-Tech Principal says,
resume, and science skills to understand the In cooperation with the local techni- “What sets us apart
from other schools is
our ability to offer over
Students forge Ahead with A-Tech 40 college credits that
transfer into the program
of study that the student
has chosen. The close relationship between nesses opening their doors to allow students
the college instructors and A-Tech instructors to tour their production facilities and to do job
allow for a smooth transition.” shadows with experienced workers. We partner
Using a project-based, hands-on learn- with many area manufacturers, a manufactur-
ing approach, the school day features a mix ing alliance, and the technical college.
of manufacturing related courses in welding, Our students benefit from attending
machining, mechanical design, automated A-Tech in a multitude of ways. They get to
manufacturing and a mix of traditional core learn what a career in manufacturing is really
classes in math, science, English, social studies. like. It’s like taking a test drive before buying.
A-Tech labs are second-to-none with They could make money while learning,
brand new equipment that mirrors what the Seniors enrolled at A-Tech have the opportu-
students will see in industry. We have eight nity to complete a paid youth apprenticeship for
welding booths with 16 welders that will expose school credit.
the students to MIG, TIG and stick welding. We A-Tech graduates gain advantage over
have six manual lathes, 4 manual mills and a other applicants entering the workforce. They’ll
brand new Haas CNC machining center. Our already have hands-on experience in a variety
fabrication equipment includes a CNC plasma of trades and skilled labor, making A-Tech
cutter and numerous metal forming pieces of graduates attractive to potential employers.
Lead Teacher Paul Endter says, “Our students
The clang of the hammer on the anvil the floors of real-world companies. Instead equipment that will allow students to create learn the value and rewards of hard work before
echoes through the classroom. Two A-Tech of rows of desks in the metals room, there meaningful projects. they graduate. Thus, they are sought after by
students peer into the forge, watching the are eight welding booths with 16 welders Students in A-Tech learn about the world local businesses who are eager to employ our
steel glow orange. They worked systemati- that expose the students to MIG, TIG, and of work in a variety of ways. In the classroom graduates.”
cally over two class periods to make the top stick welding. Students also have access they are exposed to the basics of machining, Learn more about A-Tech: http://appleton-
of a hammer. to 6 manual lathes, 4 manual mills, and a welding, mechanical design, automation, math tech.org
It takes a lot of patience to make some- new Haas CNC machining center. Fabri- for the trades, reading blueprints, project-based
thing from a simple metal rod. It takes cation equipment includes a CNC plasma learning, and other classroom experiences
teamwork too. One student holds the steel, cutter and numerous metal forming pieces designed to reflect the world of work. aasd.k12.wi.us
occasionally inserting it back into the forge, of equipment that allow students to create A-Tech appreciates the involvement of
while the other hammers the end to flatten projects that teach them the fundamentals of manufacturing professionals making classroom (920) 832-6161
and shape it. metal-working. presentations and demonstrations and busi-
These two students are both pursuing A-Tech students graduate ready for
welding as a career, so they’re using their further schooling or to start a full-time job
last few months of senior year to get more the week after graduation. They can produce Welding News from Chippewa falls
familiar with different techniques and equip- and assemble structural metal products, read
ment. One senior already has a full-time job job orders and blueprints, and set up and use Continued from page 6
lined up, courtesy of his apprenticeship, and equipment to cut, shear, saw, form, roll, and
the other plans to pursue a welding certifi- bend metals. also need those women, to show that we’re “Definitely interested in the trades,
cate in college. capable.” because I think it’s cooler than what most
The school day features a mix of Students say they are inspired by their girls would do, like the classes they would
manufacturing-related courses in welding, teacher representing a minority in the field take, so I’m interested in that.”
machining, mechanical design, automated they’re learning about. Women make up about 5% of welders
manufacturing and a mix of traditional “I thought it was really cool that there’s in the United States. Degenhardt is hoping
core classes in math, science, English, and a female teacher in this department because to see that number increase.
social studies. A-Tech students can choose it’s not really usual,” says Emily Pomeitlo,
their own focus in one of these areas in their one of her students.
junior and senior years and work to com- Students in Degenhardt’s class are cfsd.chipfalls.k12.wi.us
plete technical college credits. inspired by her and are looking at careers (715) 726-2417
The A-Tech classrooms look more like that they wouldn’t have normally consid-
ered.