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Dream It. DO IT. PA – What’s So Cool About Manufacturing? Watch These 8th Graders Produced Videos!

Michael Reader

Dream It. DO IT. Is a national grassroots initiative by The Manufacturing Institute in Washington, D.C. “The initiative offers local manufacturers, schools, community-based organizations and other stakeholders the opportunity to partner with a respected national platform to promote manufacturing as a top tier career choice in the United States. Dream It. DO IT. Engages students, parents, and educators, and partners them with local manufacturers. Groups in 21 American states have joined this movement thus far.

As an example, a challenge was presented to 8th graders representing 19 teams from 16 public schools and a Catholic school in Lehigh Valley, PA, to produce 2.5-minute video clips about area manufacturers themed “What’s So Cool About Manfacturing?” The Lehigh Valley Skill Up Partnership group was the first in Pennsylvania to participate in Dream It. DO IT.

Watch this compilation of all the outstanding entries:

Congratulations to Whitehall-Coplay School for receiving the most votes. Here is the winning video:

Moving manufacturing forward!

Brian White’s Manufacturing Story is An Inspiration for New Generations Coming Up Through the Ranks

Michael Reader

By Mike Reader
About a year ago, I had the pleasure of attending a Waukesha County Business Alliance (WCBA) Manufacturing Alliance panel discussion on workforce development issues and meeting Brian White. Brian, President of GE Energy’s Waukesha Gas Engines, was one of the panelists and he spoke frankly about manufacturing and the privilege of employing about 700 Wisconsinites.

In September of 2012, and under Brian’s leadership, GE Energy’s Waukesha Gas Engines had announced the hiring of 115 employees, following a $3.1 million investment into its engineering center.

Brian is a brilliant leader, but his story is not your typical rise-to-the-top story, because Brian didn’t go to college after graduating from high school. As a matter of fact, he didn’t know what to do with his life, until he found the opportunities that manufacturing presented to him—opportunities which he did not hesitate to pursue.
In May 2013, Dream It! Do It! Wisconsin, featured Brian in a video titled “Upward Bound – Wisconsin Manufacturing Careers.” In just a few statements, Brian tells us about his early life, and gives anyone looking into a career in manufacturing the assurance that anything is possible.

Last night, I attended another WCBA meeting, hosted by GE Energy’s Waukesha Gas Engines, which included tours of the engine assembly area and featured the Dream It! Do It! Wisconsin video featuring Brian. I was pleased to connect with Brian again. We had a very good discussion about what each was doing to address the skills gap and looked forward to collaborating in the future.

Manufacturing Day Highlights from Precision Plus’s Day-Long Event On October 4, 2013

Michael Reader

Nearly one hundred visitors, the majority area high school students, toured Precision Plus’s facilities on October 4, 2013, to celebrate National Manufacturing Day, a nationwide initiative.

The purpose of the open house and plant tour was to create awareness about the possibilities that are available with careers in manufacturing.  The event featured plant tours of four area manufacturing facilities: MedPlast, Certified Power, Inc., Hudapack Metal Treating, Inc., as well as Precision Plus’s.  The students also toured Gateway Technical College.  The event was sponsored by Dream It Do It Wisconsin, the Walworth County Economic Development Alliance, Inc., and Elkhorn Area High School.

Precision Plus wishes to thank all attendees  and our great staff for engaging with the students to answer their questions.  We look forward to a new generation of talent in manufacturing!

Precision Plus Invites Walworth County High Schools in Wisconsin To Attend A Plant Tour to Celebrate Manufacturing Day

Michael Reader

On Friday, October 4, 2013, and to celebrate the 2nd Annual National Manufacturing Day, Precision Plus of Elkhorn, Wisconsin will host local high school groups for a plant tour and informal conversation about the manufacturing industry and its career opportunities.  Please contact Barry Butters, Director of Education & Training at (262) 743-1700 for more information, or email him at buttersb@preplus.com.