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38 ELECTRONIC EDITION: WWW.MANUFACTURINGTODAYWI.COM

Raider Manufacturing: A New Chapter in Central Wisconsin’s

Workforce Future

paring for the real world—they’re stepping Though still in its early stages, Raider just about building things—it’s about building
into it. Manufacturing has already made an impact. confidence, maturity, and career direction.”
Raider Manufacturing, set to formally This school year, students built custom kitchen Fourteen students are already enrolled in
launch in winter of 2026, is a partnership cabinets for a local family in need, using the program for the 2025–26 school year, with
between Marathon High School and the Central advanced software and CNC machinery to sim- more expected as word spreads. The goal is to
Wisconsin Manufacturing Alliance (CWIMA). ulate a real-world production environment. The create a company culture that mirrors the best
The initiative is the latest example of how project not only served a humanitarian purpose of modern manufacturing—where employee
schools and industry leaders can collaborate but also allowed students to learn advanced engagement, accountability, and pride in work-
to solve one of Wisconsin’s most urgent chal- manufacturing processes while earning com- manship are at the center.
lenges: rebuilding the skilled trades talent pensation for their work. Wayne adds: “We want this to be an
pipeline. The program has also dabbled in wood amazing experience—something that chal-
The idea started with CWIMA, which signs, benches, furniture pieces, and repair lenges students to be their best selves, and
approached Marathon High School with a bold work—all part of a pilot effort to test prod- shows them they can be valued, contributing
vision—to build a student-run manufacturing ucts and services for their manufacturability, members of something much bigger than them-
business from the ground up. They have com- profitability, skill requirements, and most selves.”
mitted to supporting the program by helping importantly, fun. The curriculum aims to cover Programs like Raider Manufacturing
connect the school with private sector partners, a wide spectrum of trades and disciplines, are becoming a national movement, inspired
assisting in sourcing funds and equipment, and including both wood and metal fabrication, by successful models in states like Indiana,
fostering long-term relationships between stu- building trades, and principles of engineering Missouri, and Michigan. But in Wisconsin,
dents and real-world industry professionals. and design. CWIMA is helping lead the charge—ensur-
“This is exactly the kind of model CWIMA But the vision goes much deeper. ing that the next generation of workers doesn’t
Wayne Kroeplin was created to support,” said Conney Edmond- “We want students to feel less like they’re just read about the future of manufacturing but
Career and Technology Education son, Executive Director. “We’re not just talking at school and more like they’re part of a high- becomes a driving force within it.
Marathon High School about workforce development—we’re creating performing manufacturing team,” said Wayne
In a quiet shop space inside Marathon direct, hands-on experiences that give students Kroeplin, the lead educator behind the effort.
High School, something extraordinary is a real sense of purpose and possibility. Raider “They’ll explore roles in product design, auto- marathon.k12.wi.us
taking shape: a student-run manufacturing Manufacturing is going to change lives—and mation, robotics, Lean principles, Six Sigma,
business where young people aren’t just pre- we’re proud to be part of it.” quality control, marketing, and more. It’s not

Spartan Manufacturing Continued from Page 36
countless community members and businesses. Spartan Manufacturing, 7 students in
That night, stakeholders approached Spartan program
Manufacturing to discuss how they could help • September 2022 — First major order was
take the class to the next level. placed. Cenovus ordered 500 tumblers for
One of Superior’s guiding principles is $6,000
Pay It Forward. They work daily to instill in • October 2022 — Gralewski joins Supe-
our students and wouldn’t be where they are rior Industrial Maintenance Advisory
without relationships. If you want to learn more Board
about Spartan Manufacturing and want to reach
out, head to www.spartanmfg.org. • December 21, 2022 — Spartan Manufac-
turing holds press conference to announce
Timeline of Events grant partnership with Cenovus, $50,000
• 2017 — Superior Visits Maple’s Tiger • February 7, 2023 — Spartan Manufac-
Manufacturing, CESA 12 workshop turing presents to Superior City Council
• March 30, 2022 — Discussion with to discuss their class
Superior administrators to bring a manu- • May 24, 2024 — Spartan Manufactur-
facturing capstone program to SHS ing hosts first community open house.
Your best marketing is from those in your com- approach to learning in our Tech Ed. • April 19, 2022 — Superior travels to Car- Cenovus Energy awards another $50,000
to help build welder booths.
munity and the relationships you created.” dinal Manufacturing for workshop to start
Prepare Yourself And Students For a student based enterprise • November 12, 2024 — Spartan Manu-
Share Your Vision Success. How Can We Help? • June 6, 2022 — Gralewski and Kuhlman facturing hosts CTE jamboree
SHS students began sharing the vision “The program is in its third year, and we’ve presents to Superior School Board to • May 7, 2025 — 2nd Open House held,
for Spartan Manufacturing with anyone who come a long way,” said Kuhlman. “We are still create a new class program raises over $7,000
would listen. SHS joined the local technical improving the workshop thanks to local invest- • Summer 2022 — SHS Tech Ed meets • July 28–31, 2025 — Spartan Manufac-
college’s advisory board, presented the Rotary ments and will continue to see progress. Right with businesses in the Twin Ports to turing hosts first summer school class,
Club, the Superior City Council, and the Supe- now, we have about 30 students in our class. discuss partnerships: Swanstrom, GMP, “Manufacturing Boot Camp”
rior-Douglas County We developed a five-year plan for our SBE. We Lakehead Constructors, Alltech, Epi-
Chamber of Commerce. These presen- now have local industry partners reaching out curean, and Cenvous Energy/Superior
tations led to countless other networking to see how they can help their organization.” Refinery.
opportunities and helped build excitement On May 7, 2025, Spartan Manufacturing www.superior.k12.wi.us
within the surrounding community for this new hosted its second open house, which welcomed • September 2022 — Soft launch of