Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation: Tours Stoughton fab lab for Manufacturing Month

WEDC Contact: 
Lauren Foley, 608.210.6834
lauren.foley@wedc.org

Preparing students for the jobs of the future

STOUGHTON, WI. — Throughout October, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is joining more than a dozen state agencies and other partners in celebrating Manufacturing Month to promote manufacturing, manufacturing careers and manufacturing education.

As part of Manufacturing Month, WEDC’s Barb LaMue, vice president of business and community development, and Jason Scott, regional economic development director, toured the fab lab at Stoughton High School today and had the opportunity to meet with students and faculty to learn more about their fab lab and how it’s providing resources to prepare students for the manufacturing jobs of the future.

Stoughton is one of 25 school districts to receive grants in the first round of Wisconsin’s Fabrication Laboratories (Fab Labs) Grant Program. This investment funds new or upgraded fabrication laboratory facilities, providing Wisconsin’s children with valuable job training and connecting them into the 21st century’s global economy.

“Fab Lab Stoughton represents a cutting-edge learning experience for our students and an excellent example of how a public-private partnership can help produce opportunities for students,” said District Administrator Tim Onsager. “It was a pleasure to host today’s visit from WEDC, and we want to thank our fab lab partners for all their support.”

Science, technology, engineering, art and math all come together in Fab Lab Stoughton. Built and equipped with the generous support of local businesses, industries, foundations and service organizations, the Fab Lab houses a three-dimensional (3D) printer, vinyl cutter, Epilogue laser cutters/engravers, a milling machine and a computer-guided router.

“Fab labs enable students to develop and hone the skills necessary to thrive in the 21st century global economy, which is an essential component of ensuring the state’s continued economic success,” said Mark Hogan, secretary and CEO of WEDC. “This program is another example of the strong partnership between the local school districts and the state of Wisconsin, and how we are working together to ensure that students are prepared for the jobs of the future.”

While students in fab labs will develop the types of skills applicable to any industry, those skills are increasingly important in the evolution of next-generation manufacturing. As the population ages and the manufacturing sector grows, there will be significant opportunities for employment in Wisconsin’s manufacturing industry, underscoring the need to ensure a robust talent pipeline now and in the years to come.

WEDC is now accepting applications from public school districts for the second round of the Fab Labs Grant Program. Application information can be found atwww.InWisconsin.com/fablabs. The deadline for submission is December 15.