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toolboxes, allowing them to better make decisions to pursue the jobs that interest them, she says. "Once kids find the relevancy of what they're doing in school, I mean, it's like light bulbs. It's like Fourth-ofJuly light bulbs," Peacock says, because now they understand why they need to understand math or why they need to read a difficult passage in English class. During the last couple of years, as manufacturers have been working more closely with educators, more students have been exposed to the idea of manufacturing as a career choice, says Mark Kaiser, CEO and president of Lindquist Machine Corp. and chairman of the NEW Manufacturing Alliance. "I think they're hearing about (manufacturing) on a more regular basis now from their teachers, because of the work that we've done with the school districts, so I think that we're making some progress," Kaiser says. "Probably not as much as we'd like to make, but I think overall, it's starting to have a positive impact." Now a challenge is encouraging manufacturers to invest in opportunities in which students could work part time as an apprentice or intern, he says. "Businesses historically have not done a lot of that," Kaiser says. "It's costly. Sometimes there are some liability issues for having somebody under 18 out on a manufacturing floor. So there are some hurdles that have to be crossed in order to do that. And I think what it's going to take is education on our part." Meaning, education on the part of the Manufacturing Alliance leadership as well as educators, so that more manufacturers can better understand how critical it is to give kids these experiences, he says. A secondary challenge, beyond getting students interested in STEMrelated careers, is getting their parents on board with it too, says Michael Kawleski, public affairs manager for Georgia-Pacific in Green Bay. "I think another continued > New tax laws ahead. We'll help guide you through the maze of recent changes in tax laws, IRS procedures, investment strategies, compliance, and health care laws. Don't get lost in the chaos. Call Alberts & Heling today. ALBERTS & HELING taxes investments consulting Alberts & Heling CPA's, LLC www.alberts-heling-cpas.com Green Bay: Fox VAlley: Securities offered through Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC. PO Box 64284, St. Paul MN 55164-0284, (800) 800-2638. Alberts & Heling CPAs and Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. are not affiliated entities. EC00-0911 Insight_6H_Tax_Final.indd 2 9/15/11 8:15 AM CC10-1212 Nail the Money_Half Pg Jr_Insight_Final.indd 1 w w w.in s i g h t o n m f g . c o m May 2013 1/2/13 8:18 AM • / insight on manufacturing | 17