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4 ELECTRONIC EDITION: WWW.MANUFACTURINGTODAYWI.COM

Preparing Wisconsin Students for Careers in Tool & Die

advanced manufactur- Equally important are workplace skills tors connect with these opportunities. Through
ing. For middle and high such as communication, teamwork, reliabil- industry partnerships, educational outreach,
school students, now is ity, and critical thinking. Today’s tool & die scholarships, networking events, and career
the perfect time to begin industry uses advanced CNC equipment, awareness programs, TDMAW helps students
exploring these reward- automation, and digital technologies, making discover the wide range of careers available in
ing careers that combine adaptability and continuous learning key for Wisconsin manufacturing. The organization
technology, creativity, long-term success. When students are able to also works closely with member companies
problem solving, and demonstrate these skills, employers are often to promote apprenticeships, technical educa-
hands-on work. willing to take a chance and train candidates tion, and workforce development initiatives
Students inter- in the more technical aspects required to do across the state. TDMAW offers student mem-
ested in tool & die the job. berships for $15 per year. Visit our website,
careers should focus on Students are also encouraged to explore TDMAW.org, for more information!
building strong founda- apprenticeship opportunities, plant tours, job By taking advantage of these resources
tions in classes such as shadowing programs, and internships to better early, Wisconsin students can position them-
geometry, algebra, engi- understand career pathways in manufactur- selves for stable, high paying, and skilled
neering, robotics, CAD ing. More often than not, if you reach out to careers in one of the state’s most important
(computer-aided design), a tool & die shop in your area, they will be industries. Between 16% and 18% of Wis-
welding, machining, and more than willing to invite you to stop by and consin residents work in manufacturing, with
manufacturing technol- take a tour. Wisconsin offers many excellent Wisconsin consistently ranking among the
ogy. These classes can technical college programs and apprenticeship top states in the nation for manufacturing
help students develop tracks that allow students to earn while they employment as a percentage of its work-
valuable skills that learn and build strong careers without taking force. That strong manufacturing base is one
employers are looking on significant college debt. Contact your local reason careers in tool & die, automation, and
By Laura Gustafson, Tool, Die & Machining for. Participation in STEM clubs, robotics Wisconsin Technical College to learn more precision manufacturing remain so important
Association of Wisconsin Executive Director competitions, technical education programs, about this. across Wisconsin. We encourage students to
Wisconsin’s manufacturing industry con- and school shop classes also provide practical The Tool, Die & Machining Association talk to their instructors and parents to learn
tinues to depend on skilled workers in tool & experience and exposure to modern manufac- of Wisconsin (TDMAW) plays an important more about opportunities in this important &
die, precision machining, mold making, and turing environments. role in helping students, parents, and educa- vibrant industry!

From Out-of-Date to Cutting-Edge Continue from Page 1
equipped with vision sensors and integrated and doesn’t know about the cool things the kids
cameras. Students will then program the robots are getting access to, then that’s doing a dis-
to perform image detection and recognition. service to the community that’s supporting us.”
Berthelon’s approach is deliberate: Students Perhaps the most lasting impact of the fab
learn to build and operate robots without AI lab isn’t any single piece of equipment. It’s the
first. Only once they understand the fundamen- shift in what students believe is possible for
tals does he introduce what technology can add. their careers after they graduate.
The program reaches well beyond high “Kids who were against the engineering
school. The district’s 525 students in kinder- side of things are now realizing maybe I could
garten through sixth grade cycle through the be a mechanical engineer, a CNC mill opera-
Discovery Class, a required elective that func- tor or work in cabinet installation,” Berthelon
tions like a traditional shop class rebuilt for said. “I try to show them there’s so many more
the modern era, complete with laser engrav- opportunities out there. It’s just expanding
ers, 3D printers, and robotics equipment. At their world view.”
the middle and high school level, roughly Through the WEDC’s Fab Lab grant
100 to 120 students engage with the fab lab program, Belleville has built the kind of learn-
each year, a number that has grown steadily ing environment that continues to inspire
as word spreads. students every day who come through the fab
The district has also partnered with local lab. Students now know there are dozens of
engineering firms and manufacturers to keep versions of what that path can look like — and
its curriculum aligned with what industry actu- some of them start with a 3D printer, a robotics
More than using standard LEGO blocks, students at Belleville integrate LEGO® Education ally uses. kit, and a little bit of code.
SPIKE™ Essential STEAM curriculum units to develop problem-solving skills.
Community education classes are also in “We’re extremely supportive of it,” Ber-
electronics and engineering projects at home for the CNC mill. The fab lab didn’t change his development. These classes will be open to thelon said. “Especially being in a more rural
years. The fab lab was the next step, and it gave direction; he always knew he wanted to go into parents, neighbors, and local residents for a community, there’s quite a few students that
him something he couldn’t access at home. engineering — but it cemented it. “It really has small fee. Ideas in the works include a T-shirt post-high school are going to be going into
“Having access to great equipment is solidified that I want to go into engineering,” making class where participants design graph- some sort of trades or STEAM-related fields.”
super helpful,” Mehta said. “I had a small, old he said. ics, cut vinyl, and press a finished shirt in a Courtesy of the Wisconsin Economic
3D printer at home. So, it’s been a great expe- The latest grant also brought something single afternoon, and a laser engraving session Development Corporation
rience learning how to use different machines, less expected to the shop floor: artificial intel- where everyone leaves with a custom wooden
different software, stuff that I don’t have ligence (AI). lantern they made themselves.
access to at home.” ChatGPT and similar tools are blocked on “School districts tend to be the center of
His most memorable project: machin- student computers in Belleville, but AI is enter- the community,” Berthelon said. “If the com- belleville.k12.wi.us
ing an old piece of brass into a sculpture on ing the curriculum through VEX robotics kits munity doesn’t know what’s happening in here