Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/1308856
20 | /INSIGHT ON MANUFACTURING • November 2020 w w w.in s i g h t o n m f g . c o m IN-PERSON THE GREAT TRAINING YOU EXPECT IN FORMATS! corporatetraining@nwtc.edu | nwtc.edu/business-industry 920.498.6373 TOPICS INCLUDE: BUSINESS RESILIENCY DENTAL HUMAN RESOURCES LEADERSHIP MICROSOFT EXCEL PERSONAL PERFORMANCE STRATEGIC PLANNING E D U C AT I O N c o n t i n u e d things around and work with GPS to actually get that optimal classroom setup," Zimmer-Maertz says. Menasha Corp. joined the program in 2017 to help combat the skills gap it saw in the workforce. "I think if you can get the kids into an environment that is more hands- on, they'll find that manufacturing isn't maybe what they've always been told — that it's dirty, that it's dusty, that it's difficult," Zimmer-Maertz says. "Instead, it's a great career path." Menasha Corp. has four students working at various locations, with aims to place more, though COVID-19 slowed those plans. With the recent spike in coronavirus cases, the company worked with GPS to have students go virtual for a week or two, Zimmer-Maertz says. Like other companies within the program, Menasha Corp. matches students based on interest. One student is working in the quality department, supporting COVID-19 response by writing and auditing sanitation protocols. Another is working in the pressroom and die- cutting department. Zimmer-Maertz says the company has found participating in the program valuable to help close the skills gap in an increasingly technical manufacturing environment. Most companies participating are manufacturers, starting with Generac Power Systems, but in the past few years "we've really started to branch out to what I would classify as sister industries to manufacturing, construction probably being the biggest one," says Joecks, adding that "I think if you can get the kids into an environment that is more hands-on, they'll find that manufacturing isn't maybe what they've always been told — that it's dirty, that it's dusty, that it's difficult. Instead, it's a great career path." — Michelle Zimmer-Maertz, human resources business partner, Menasha Corp.