Chicago Chapter Sets Example FOCUS ON THE
WorkForce S
ME’s Chapter 5 in Illinois is demonstrating how to develop the next manufacturing generation by forging creative partnerships with schools and businesses in
the Chicagoland Metro Area. Their efforts are being headed by Bob Iossi, who joined SME in 2001 and became the chairman of SME Chicago No. 5 in 2006.
“I want to see manufacturing in the USA become what it used to be, not what it is today,” Iossi explained. “Kids don’t want to enroll because they don’t see things made here. The reality is that we still make 75% of the goods and food we consume in the US.”
A highlight of the chapter’s efforts include Wheeling High School in suburban Chicago, which is one of six schools that received inaugural designation as a PRIME school. In order to receive designation as a Partnership Re-
sponse in Manufacturing Education (PRIME) school, the school must have a strong academic and manufacturing curriculum based on STEM education (Science, Tech- nology, Engineering and Mathematics), a rigorous and innovative program developed by Project Lead the Way. In addition, a candidate for PRIME should be staffed by expe- rienced certified instructors with committed administrative and community support.
PRIME is just one tool that is being used by SME’s Educa- tion Foundation (SME-EF) to address the nation’s manufactur- ing workforce challenges.
The principal of Wheeling High School, Dr. Lazaro Lopez, recognized years ago that the community would support and welcome a manufacturing curriculum, and adopted the Proj- ect Lead the Way’s STEM program. The district also supports
102
ManufacturingEngineeringMedia.com | July 2013
an active National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) student club.
SME Chicago No. 5 has brought in speakers to talk to
classes, found or donated necessary materials and technology, judged battlebot competitions and introduced community part- ners who provide guidance, job information and placement. Al- though Wheeling’s shop does not have as much equipment as some other schools, it maximizes usage. Dr. Lopez also recently introduced nanomanufacturing capabilities with the support of local companies. Each year, the program adds more equipment and has expanded to include more than 100 students.
“This is the model that I think can work across the US,” Iossi said of the successful program.
“This is the model that I think can work across the US,” Iossi said of the successful program. Another success story is Austin Polytechnical Academy on
Chicago’s West Side. The Academy is a unique college and career preparatory high school focusing on careers in advanced manufacturing and engineering. The school proudly features a running record of NIMS certifications, with more than 125 students earning an impressive 191 industry-recognized certifi- cates. SME is on the school’s faculty advisory board and offers quarterly speakers. Iossi’s group worked with the instructors and students on their first product, keychain panic whistles. “Their intent was safety, but it turned into an automation project,” Iossi said. “Our chapter invested and asked them to customize 500 whistles for SME, teaching them the concept of order entry and interconnecting with other business groups in the school.” Other local high schools in Niles Township and East Leyden
are also partnered with SME Chicago No. 5 in similar fashion, with SME members mentoring students and collaborating with
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108