MaryBeth Matzek: School program allows students to get real-life view of manufacturing

This is an excerpt from a column posted at BizOpinion.

Green Bay teens are getting an inside look at manufacturing without even leaving their high school. Bay Link Manufacturing, which opened earlier this fall, provides students with a real-life manufacturing experience while earning both high school and college credits.

Bay Link Manufacturing contracts work with local manufacturers. It was formed through a unique partnership of Green Bay Area Public Schools, local manufacturers and Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. Students work three hours each afternoon in the manufacturing shop at Green Bay West High School making parts for local customers, such as Lindquist Machine.

“They learn not only how to make parts and what it’s like to work in manufacturing, but also what it’s like to deal with the problems that are a part of everyday life for a manufacturer, such as missing a deadline or quality issues,” says Mark Kaiser, president and CEO of Lindquist Machine in Green Bay and a big supporter of the program. “We are their customer and they need to work with us to get the job done.”

Lori Peacock, career and technical education partnerships and program coordinator for the Green Bay Area School District, says the program draws students from all Green Bay high schools and the interest level is high.

“We’re trying to be as authentic as possible with the process. All interested students had to fill out an application and go through an interview process,” she says. “We hope to eventually add another shift of workers who work three hours in the morning. We’re also looking to get business and marketing students involved in that part of the business, too. It’s a wonderful learning experience.”

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