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

March 30, 2014

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

Elkhorn, Grant, Metaworking Skills, National Institute for Metalworking Skills, Next Generation of CNC Machinists in Walworth County, NIMS Certification, Precision Plus, Wisconsin, Wisconsin's Department of Workforce Development

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.

Educational Development

March 27, 2014

Precision Plus in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, Continues Its Education Outreach

Bader High School, Barry Butters, Beloit Memorail High School, bring manufacturing back to the U.S., concerted effort, Lake Geneva, manufacturing., on the road, Precision Plus, Racine Unified School District, real life, Real School, Ryan Rewey, school visits, Union Grove High School, Wisconsin

Michael Reader

Pictured from left to right: Ryan Rewey, Jon Watson, Bill Pfund, Deb Prowse, Dawn Skrzypchak. Not pictured was Katie McQueen.

Barry Butters, Director of Education and Training, hosted a new group of teachers from Beloit Memorial High School on Thursday, March 27, 2014. Ryan Rewey, the Director of Career and Technical Education for the Beloit School District arranged to have several math and science teachers as well as a guidance counselor from Beloit Memorial H.S. visit Precision Plus to see that STEM education is truly at the heart of the manufacturing industry. The educators were given an overview of how Precision Plus uses the Inventor 3D CAD software coupled with the PartMaker software to program the Fanuc controllers on the CNC machines. Precision machining is a perfect example of where STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) all come together. There is the science of metal properties, technology in the CNC programming, engineering in the feeds, speeds and chip formation and the math involved on the geometry of the parts themselves.

Butters also traveled to Union Grove High School on Tuesday, March 11^th, where principal Tom Herman arranged presentations to the Math, Science, Tech Education and Guidance Departments. Butters spoke to the teachers about the nature of the work done at Precision Plus, as well as discussing the internship opportunities the company offers. Butters felt the time spent at Union Grove with 26 of their teachers had big impact in the on the future of the industry, as it helped disperse the unfounded image of manufacturing as a boring, dirty and dangerous field.

Lastly, Butters most recent classroom visit was to Lake Geneva Badger High School where he spoke to all of Clint Geissler metals classes. The informative message to the students was about today’s manufacturing and the type of schooling needed to pursue a career in manufacturing. The presentation also included a discussion of the soft skills all employers are looking for.

Butters plans to attend a Career Day event at the Real School, which is part of the Racine Unified School District, on Thursday, April 17^th and is scheduling a visit to speak to Casey Miller’s metals classes at Burlington High School in the near future.

Company Updates

March 26, 2014

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

2014, Congressman, Elkhorn, first district, listening sessions, March 20, Paul Ryan, Precision Plus, Wisconsin

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 1^st District.

Company Updates

March 24, 2014

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

Barry Butters, Bob Novak, career, CNC, CNC training facilities, degree program, education, Manufacturing Program, Precision Plus, Tour, Waukesha, Waukesha County Technical College, WCTC, Wisconsin

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.

Community Involvement

March 22, 2014

Precision Plus Supports DECA and Participates in Wisconsin’s Competition’s Judging

2014, Barry Butters, Competition, DECA, Distributive Education Clubs of America, Elkhorn, future leaders, Grand Geneva Resort, judge, March 18-19, Precision Plus, Wisconsi, Wisconsin

Michael Reader

Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) is a great organization, which provides a comprehensive learning program that enhances students’ future options preparing them for college and careers. By offering them co-curricular programs that integrate into classroom instruction, students are able to apply learning in the context of business, connect with business and the community, and participate in real-world competition. Student members leverage their DECA experience to become academically prepared, community oriented, professionally responsible, and experienced leaders. DECA’s mission is “To prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.”

The DECA Wisconsin State Competition was held at the Grand Geneva Resort on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 18-19, 2014. Barry Butters, Director of Education and Training, represented Precision Plus by serving as a judge for the competition. “Seeing the students present a solution to a problem given to them minutes before their presentations was amazing. They showed creativity and resourcefulness in these presentations,” said Butters. It was my first time judging and we will certainly continue to support this organization.”

Industry News

March 20, 2014

Wisconsin Fast Forward Program Plans to Award $15 MM in Grants to Support Employer-Led Worker Training

Aztalan Engineering, Bliss Machine Ltd., DWD, Hudapack Metal Treating, Iseli, MacLean Fogg, Micro Precision Inc., presentation, Prop Shaft Supply, R & L Spring Company, ScotForge, Shelly Harkins, State of Wiscosin, Walworth County, Wisconsin

Michael Reader

In March of 2013, Wisconsin State Governor Scott Walker, with nearly full support of the State Legislature, signed the “Wisconsin Fast Forward” program, whereby $15 million in grants would be made available to support employer-led worker training programs, and ultimately connect job seekers with employers. This initiative is in line with the State’s intention to educate and train high-skilled workers. The program is being administered by the Department of Workforce Development’s (DWD) new Office of Skills Development (OSD), and has already helped create worker-training programs, preparing workers for Wisconsin jobs available today and in the years to come.

DWD’s Shelly Harkins has made a number of presentations to the manufacturing community to explain the grant procedures and requirements. On March 18, 2014, Precision Plus welcomed Ms. Harkins to our facility where she would address a number of Walworth County manufacturers who gathered at the company’s new multi-purpose classroom. The following Walworth County’s companies attended the presentation: Iseli, Hudapack Metal Treating, Inc., Prop Shaft Supply, MacLean Fogg, Bliss Machine, Ltd., ScotForge, Micro Precision, Inc., Aztalan Engineering, and R & L Spring Company.

More information about the grant may be found here.

Industry News

March 17, 2014

Celebrating STEM Education Week with Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Wisconsin at the Capitol Rotunda

Elkhorn Area H.S., Exhibit, Madison, PLTW, Precision Plus, Proclamation, Project Lead The Way, STEM, STEM Education Week, Wisconsin

Michael Reader

Precision Plus was thrilled to be a part of STEM Education Week, proclaimed by Wisconsin’s Gov. Scott Walker, and celebrated throughout Wisconsin from March 10 until March 15, 2014. This image is from an exhibit at Wisconsin’s Capitol’s Rotunda on March 14, 2014.

Photo courtesy of Elkhorn Area High School.

Over 50 middle schools and high schools were represented at this exhibit, where student showcased real-world solutions to problems that were achieved as a result of their involvement with Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Wisconsin’s initiative, whose vision is “to ignite the spark of American ingenuity, creativity and imagination within all our students.”

Precision Plus’ Brad Pearson, Intern and
Barry Butters, Director of Education & Training

Indeed a great day for Wisconsin’s future leaders!

Educational Development

March 14, 2014

Straight from the Source: Students at Elkhorn Area High School Recount Their Experience at the Second Annual Manufacturing Career Panel on February 26, 2014

Brad Pearson, Brian White, Elkhorn Area High School, GE Energy's Waukesha Gas Engines, GenMet, Hanan Fishman, Mary Isbister, Mike Reader, Precision Plus, Second Annual Manufacturing Career Panel, Wisconsin

Michael Reader

Elkhorn Area High School posted the following post on Facebook on March 13, 2014 about the Second Annual Manufacturing Career Panel:

On Wednesday, February 26, approximately 200 students from five different schools settled into their seats at the Elkhorn Area High School auditorium to listen to four experts and one of their own peers address the career opportunities in the manufacturing industry. Our schools feel very fortunate to have had Brian White, President of Waukesha Engine; Hanan Fishman, President of PartMaker, Inc, (a software development company); Mary Isbister, President of GenMet, Mequon (metal fabricator); Mike Reader, President of Precision Plus; and senior, Brad Pearson, (manufacturing apprentice) share their insights on opportunities the world of manufacturing offers.

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Each of the four speakers described their backgrounds, their journey to where they are today, various manufacturing processes, the skills and talent necessary to be successful in manufacturing, and the fast pace in which the manufacturing workplace is changing. They discussed with students the “skills gap”, which is the problem that many manufacturers are facing today in regard to maintaining a high-quality, high-skilled workforce. According to all four speakers, there is a huge deficit in the number of young people applying for jobs in manufacturing. Currently, the industry is looking for people skilled in Design Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Machinists, Welders, CNC Programmers, Fabricators, and Machine Maintenance. White mentioned that top machinists can earn up to $80,000 per year and that every manufacturing job generates four other jobs in other sectors such as health, IT, finance, etc. Both White and Reader stressed to students to make certain they are preparing for a career, not just for college; to make sure that their advanced education can help them secure a job, and to prepare themselves for life-long learning. They cited the fact that 70% of manufacturing jobs will require education beyond the high school diploma. Fishman backed up this fact by stating that what goes on in manufacturing today has a lot more to do with what goes on above the neck than below. Isbister reminded students that when hiring she looks for highly driven and ambitious job candidates; those who are committed to their jobs. She, along with the Reader, White, and Fishman stressed the importance of soft skills—reliability, communication skills, collaboration, self-motivation, positive attitude, and a willingness to learn.

Senior apprentice, Brad Pearson, spoke of his experience at Precision Plus and his appreciation for the opportunities he has been given by his mentor to learn all aspects of precision-turned component manufacturing (Facebook, 2014).

Industry News

March 12, 2014

PMPA 2014 Leadership Conference Update – Las Vegas, February 21-23

21-23, Barry Butters, Dan Thurmon, Elkhorn, February, John Guzik, Las Vegas, Mike Reader, NV, Omar Nashashibi, PMPA 2014 Management Update Conference, Precision Plus, Ryan Millar, Wisconsin

Michael Reader

By Barry Butters

The PMPA leadership conference (formally, the PMPA’s 2014 Management Update Conference) which took place in Las Vegas, NV on
February 21-23, 2014 was a huge success.

As a first-time attendee, I can speak first-hand to the welcoming atmosphere, as everyone went out of their way to greet and engage with all of us who attended the conference for the first time. This year, the conference had a record number of attendees, and the featured speakers had a plethora of great messages.

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At every session, the energy was so high, it could almost be felt. The opening session, was delivered by Dan Thurmon, a dynamic speaker who proposes embracing the “unbalanced life.” Dan put his words to the test as he actually juggled—even pedaling on a unicycle—as he talked to us frankly about how everything is possible. We were impressed not only with his talent, but also with his clear message.

On Saturday, John Guzik and Omar Nashashibi of The Franklin Partnership, updated the PMPA members on the political state of affairs that affect the business climate for PMPA members. They took us through the day in the life of many of the politicians they call on, in order to give members a better understanding of what they do for the PMPA.

Ryan Millar, a former Olympic USA Volleyball Team player, who competed in three Olympic Games and helped the team win the first gold in twenty years at the Beijing Games, shared talked about accountability at work and in our personal lives.

All in all, it was an extraordinary and thoroughly inspiring event, which I look forward to attending next year.

Community Involvement

March 10, 2014

Wisconsin’s Governor Scott Walker Proclaims March 10-15, 2014 “Celebration of STEM Education Week”

10-15, 2014, Celebration of Stem Education Week, education, Elkhorn, Gov. Scott Walter, March, PLTW, Precision Plus, Proclamation, Project Lead The Way, STEM, Wisconsin

Michael Reader

Education and manufacturing leaders throughout the State of Wisconsin, understand the importance that science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) have on the future success of education.

Project Lead The Way Wisconsin (PLTW) is STEM-driven, state-wide organization, whose vision is “to ignite the spark of American ingenuity, creativity, and imagination within all our students.” Their mission statement reads: “PLTW’s mission is to ensure that America succeeds in the increasingly high-tech and high-skill global economy, by partnering with middle schools and high schools to prepare students to become the most innovative and productive in the world.”

Incessant work by PLTW leaders has put this organization at the forefront of education efforts. Many internship and apprenticeship programs (including Precision Plus’) require that prospective interns and apprentices have taken, at minimum, the PLTW’s course entitled “Introduction to Engineering Design.”

Barry Butters, Director of Education & Training at Precision Plus, adds: “We find that students who have gone through the class, come prepared for the internship experience, having learned problem-solving skills, and having had hands-on training on the Inventor 3D CAD Software program.”

Precision Plus is an active supporter of PLTW, and was recognized for their education intiatives during PLTW’s latest conference. Precision Plus congratulates all who participate in this movement on a well-deserved proclamation!

On March 14, 2014, Precision Plus will participate at the Capitol’s Rotunda in Madison alongside PLTW educators and students.

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Tag : Wisconsin