MANITOWOC, Wis. — Representatives from Lakeshore Technical College, SKANA Aluminum Company and the Manitowoc, Two Rivers and Mishicot school districts met with Orion Energy Systems executives on Monday to discuss a new initiative designed to educate Manitowoc-area students.
Orion, a power technology company based in Manitowoc, is planning an annual program in which students from around Manitowoc County will visit Orion’s manufacturing facility along with SKANA for an up-close look at the manufacturers’ many types of employment.
The idea for this proposed field trip came when Orion executives recently toured a large manufacturing facility in Oklahoma, and were told about a similar initiative that company has orchestrated for years.
Meeting on Monday with Orion CEO Neal Verfuerth and senior vice president of governmental affairs and corporate communications Kevin Crawford were: Lisa Quistorf, Two Rivers Public School District (L.B. Clarke Middle School); Steven Gallimore, SKANA; David Gordon, Mishicot Public School District (Mishicot High); Colleen Timm, Mishicot Public School District (Mishicot High); Eric Johnson, Manitowoc Public School District (Wilson Junior High School); Kari Krull, Manitowoc Public School District (Lincoln High); Sara Greenwood, Lakeshore Technical College; and Douglas Gossen, also LTC. The Valders school district plans to participate as well.
Orion prides itself on producing cutting-edge energy technologies. The purpose of the annual educational field trip is to match the future labor force with ever-changing manufacturing technology.
“Orion Energy Systems’ vision is long-range and future-oriented, and though the company has little difficulty filling positions at this time, at some point conditions may change and it’s always worth cultivating understanding and marrying it with future job skills,” said Crawford.
Verfuerth was impressed with the Oklahoma company’s dedication to education, and on the flight home, he asked Crawford to set up a similar program for students at Orion.
“These days, young people don’t realize what a manufacturing job is and how much technology is spun off the manufacturing process,” Verfuerth said. “It seems a four-year degree is an entry level requirement at our Technical Colleges. It’s a real shame that after receiving an undergrad degree, many students have to return to school for two additional years to learn skills that can land them a job.”
Crawford said this educational program will help students understand the value of manufacturing jobs at a young age, and will educate them about technology and Orion’s role in the power technology market. It will also showcase heavy industrial manufacturing jobs at SKANA’s rolling mill.
“And if this event becomes an annual excursion with our schools, there is no doubt kids will figure out their options and future at an earlier age,” Crawford said.
Orion Energy Systems, Inc. (NYSE Amex: OESX) is a leading power technology enterprise that designs, manufactures and deploys energy management systems – consisting primarily of high-performance, energy-efficient lighting platforms, intelligent wireless control systems and direct renewable solar technology for commercial and industrial customers – without compromising their quantity and quality of light. For more information on Orion visit http://www.oesx.com.
Contact:
Orion Energy Systems, Inc., Corporate Communications
Kevin Crawford, Senior Vice President
(920) 482-1978 kmc@oesx.com
