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Precision Plus In the News: Elkhorn’s Precision Plus Receives State Award

Michael Reader

Lake Geneva Regional News has published an article about Precision Plus which has been chosen by the State of Wisconsin’s Department of Public Instruction to receive the 2014 “Business Friends of Education Award.” The article features a recount of the strides made in the last year to help educators and students in training and providing apprenticeships for technology careers.

For more information any any of the educational and training initiatives by Precision Plus, please contact Barry Butters, Director of Education at 262-743-1700 or via email.

Precision Plus Receives Wisconsin Fast Forward Grant Towards Their Next Generation of CNC Machinists in Walworth County Project

Michael Reader

Next Generation of CNC Machinists in Walworth County Project Grant

Referred to as the “Blueprint for Prosperity,” Wisconsin’s 2013 Special Session AB2 initiative was signed into law to provide millions of dollars in additional funding to expand the Department of Workforce Development’s  (DWD) Wisconsin Fast Forward Program. On March 28, 2014, the DWD announced the grant recipients that will address high school pupil training, as authorized by the legislation.

The Office of Skills Development of Wisconsin’s DWD sought applications from Wisconsin businesses in collaboration with school districts, educational partners and/or technical colleges to train and hire high school pupils.  Successful graduates of the program should receive employment opportunities in recognized high-demand fields with industry-recognized certifications.

On March 28, 2014, the DWS published the following proclamation:

DWD intends to award Precision Plus.in Elkhorn a grant of $10,379 for their Next Generation of CNC Machinists in Walworth County project to train 8 high school students for careers as CNC Machinists. Successful trainees will receive National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) certification. Pupils who successfully complete the program will be provided placement opportunities at Precision Plus

Precision Plus looks forward to implementing  the necessary steps to roll this project out.

For more information about this program, please contact Barry Butters, Director of Education at 844.743.1700 or by email.

Read the complete press release here.

Precision Plus Attends Small Business Listening Session with Congressman Paul Ryan on March 20, 2014

Michael Reader

Congressman Paul Ryan listened to residents and answered constituent questions during a listening session for small business owners at the Monte Carlo in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. Meetings like this help Paul stay in touch with those he represents in Washington while better understanding their needs and concerns as he drafts and votes on legislation in Congress. Barry Butters the Director of Education and Training attended the session.

Paul Ryan serves As the Congressman for Wisconsin’s 1st District.

Precision Plus Inc. Visits Waukesha County Technical College’s CNC Facility

Michael Reader

Bob Novak, Associate Dean of Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) invited Barry Butters, Director of Education and Training at Precision Plus to tour their machining labs, which took place on Tuesday, March 22, 2014.

The school offers five areas of specialty as part of the General Manufacturing Degree Program:

  • Automation Systems
  • CNC
  • Industrial Maintenance
  • Tool and Die
  • Welding

During the first year, all students take general courses, followed by a second year of career-specifc courses determining their specialization.

WCTC is a first class school offering a wide variety of machining degree opportunities.  Dean Novak added, “We firmly believe in a machining program that is well grounded in basics metal cutting before the introduction to CNC machining.” Their facility and curriculum attest to that.

Jeff Lemmermann, CFO and CIO at Precision Plus To Speak at Two Upcoming Conferences

Michael Reader

Jeff Lemmermann, CFO and CIO at Precision Plus has been invited to speak at two conferences. 

On Monday, April 7th at INFOSEC WORLD in Orlando, Florida, Lemmermann will examine four famous information technology breach incidents to point out the missed signs, how the breach was ultimately discovered, the damage from the breach, and the lessons that can be learned to avoid similar attacks.  The presentation entitled “Autopsy Report: Famous IT Security Breaches; What Were the Signs and How They Could Have Been Prevented,” will take place from 11:15 a.m. until 12:15 p.m.

On Wednesday, May 21, 2014, Lemmermann will address attendees of the International Institute of Municipal Clerks, during their 68th Annual Conference, which will take place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Lemmermann’s presentation will be from 2:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. and it is entitled, “Security Your Information Assets.”

Veterans Are Key to Our Country’s Future Success

Michael Reader

1918. On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, an armistice between the Allied Nations and Germany came into effect, ending WWI. Exactly a year later, President Wilson proclaimed that November 11th should be proclaimed as “Veterans Day” from that day on.

In reality, counting from the Revolutionary War that spanned from 1775 to 1783, there have been more than one hundred wars in which the U.S. has been involved, meaning that there have been more than 100 wars from which there are veterans.

Precision Plus has always been aware of the sacrifice veterans have made for our country. Not too long ago, VetsRoll came to our attention. VetsRoll is an organization that sprouted in South Beloit, IL, with the sole mission to “provide safe ground transportation and an enjoyable experience for WWI, Korean War veterans, and all the Rosies from the ‘Rosie the Riveter’ movement” to visit the Washington, DC memorials and tributes for their service. We are losing veterans of that era at the rate of 900 to 1000 a day. VetsRoll hopes to provide these veterans with that opportunity. We, at Precision Plus, support their mission.

Decades ago, most veterans were able to incorporate back into the workforce. However, in recent years, a ‘knowledge validity shift’ has positioned many veterans in work limbo. Volunteering for their country at 18, many have not had a chance to receive a college degree. In addition, many ‘hands-on’ veterans who have worked on processes and equipment have the skills, but not the diploma that would put a stamp on their knowledge tract.

Last year, Mike Reader, President of Precision Plus, had the honor of meeting veteran Hernán Luis y Prado, who is making a difference in this arena. Hernán is the founder of “Workshops for Warriors,” an organization that helps returning veterans return to civilian life with valuable skills so needed in today’s market. Workshops for Warriors — a San Diego-based, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to training, certifying, and placing veterans in manufacturing careers.
“I had the privilege to tour the Workshops for Warriors facility, and meet the many men and women who have given everything for our country,” said Reader, “but who are striving to learn new technical skills in order to integrate back into the community, and make a difference.” We also support their cause.

Closer to home, we are proud that one out of three of the most recent hires at Precision Plus are U.S. Veterans. Their focus and discipline has played an integral part in their success.  Join us in recognizing:

• Anthony Anzalone , Army
• Michael Brown, Marines
• Angel Cabrera , Army
• John Espinoza, Marines
• Dave Lee, Marines
• Adam Rosseland, Army
• Neil Fleischhacker, Army
• Jim Hagar, Army
• Kevin Wilson, Navy

All the above Precision Plus family members have many character traits in common, including the honor to have served our country. Fortunately, we are blessed to have them as part of the Precision Plus Team!

Over the years, actor Gary Sinise has become a spokesperson for veterans. Recently, as an active supporter of “Get Skills to Work,” an organization that hopes to match 100,000 veterans with high skilled jobs by 2015, he supports the training of veterans to help close the current manufacturing skills gap.

At Precision Plus, we appreciate our veterans, their service for our country, and encourage and support their involvement in manufacturing. Their commitment to our country is beyond boundaries.

Precision Plus Spotlighted During the Project Lead The Way’s Wisconsin Professional Development Conference

Michael Reader

Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is much more than a slogan to companies involved in trying to find new talent.  It exemplifies one of the premier programs in providing educational curricular programs to schools across the United States with over 5,000 schools nationwide participating in the movement.

PLTW’s focus is on science is on STEM–technology, engineering, and mathematics. STEM education is at the heart of today’s high-tech, high-skill global economy.  In a typical year, over 3,000 high-school and middle-school teachers and counselors are trained through the PLTW programs, and PLTW-Wisconsin ranks second among all states, with over 60 new Wisconsin schools joining PLTW in 2013.

Precision Plus helped sponsor the 2013 PLTW – Wisconsin Professional Development Conference held at the Country Springs Hotel and Convention Center on December 9th & 10th .  President Mike Reader, and Director of Education and Outreach, Barry Butters were in attendance for the opening night dinner and keynote speech by Lieutenant Governor, Rebecca Kleefisch.

Not only did Mike and Barry find themselves at the same dinner table as the Lt. Governor and Milwaukee School of Engineering President, Dr. Hermann Viets, but were both deeply humbled to hear the Precision Plus name prominently mentioned in the keynote address, with reference to setting the foundations for economic development in our State.

Specifically, Lt. Governor Kleefisch referred to the ongoing efforts of Precision Plus in helping with education and training efforts throughout the community.  Internships, participation in the Wisconsin Aerospace Consortium, activities for Wisconsin Manufacturing Day, and an active role with local school programs have all helped to put the company at the forefront of developing the next generation of manufacturers.

Precision Plus supports  PLTW Wisconsin and works with the organization to bring STEM to the front burner. The Lt. Governor’s comments reiterated the values for which Precision Plus stands.  Two of our pillars of business are ‘Integrity and Empowerment.’ Being a valuable member of the community is one of the values of our ‘Pillar of Integrity.’  Providing training opportunities to our current and future employees, fuels our ‘Pillar of Empowerment.’

In as much as we are thankful for the recognition, we know that our efforts to bring manufacturing back to the United States are just at the beginning stages.

Precision Plus Recognized with the Walworth County Economic Development Association’s 2013 Workforce Investment Award

Michael Reader

Barry Butters and Mike Reader of Precision Plus Receive the Workforce Investment Award from
Joe Cardiff, Board Member
for the Walworth County Economic Development Association’s Workforce Development Committee

During this year’s Walworth County Economic Development Association’s (WCEDA) Annual Meeting, which took place on Tuesday, November 5th at the Grand Geneva Resort, Precision Plus received the organization’s 2013 Workforce Investment Award.

Mike Reader, President of Precision Plus and Barry Butters, its Director of Education and Outreach, were at hand to receive the award from  Joe Cardiff, WCEDA’s Board Member representing the Workforce Development Committee.

Precision Plus was recognized for its initiatives in education by sponsoring several manufacturing programs, including plant tours, manufacturing panels and establishing an internship program while promoting the importance of careers in manufacturing.

Mike Reader credits the Precision Plus’ team of high skilled professionals for their continued support and active participation in making these initiatives possible.

What is Dream It! Do It! Wisconsin?

Michael Reader

Dream It. Do It. is a national recruitment strategy initiative sponsored by the National Association of Manufacturers, designed to emphasize manufacturing as an industry providing high-paying, high-quality careers.

Dream It! Do It! Wisconsin came to our state thanks to a grant provided by the Wisconsin Technical College System.  The Waukesha County Business Alliance’s Manucturing Alliance Steering Committee provided initial executive oversight.  According to the organization, “The implementation team includes representatives from the M7 Regional Workforce Development Centers, as well as from the Milwaukee Area, Waukesha County and Gateway technical colleges and the School District of Waukesha.”

Southeastern Wisconsin is the first stop for Dream It! Do It! Wisconsin, which hopes to take this initiative state-wide.

Dream It! Do It! Wisconsin has featured a number of inspiring videos about the manufacturing industry in Wisconsin, including the one below.  Drywater Productions and Signalfire created this video in conjunction with Walworth County Economic Development Alliance and Better By Design.

Precision Plus actively collaborates with the efforts and initiatives of Dream It! Do It! Wisconsin.

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!

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