Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/312675
w w w.in s i g h t o n m f g . c o m May 2014 • /insight on manufacturing | 15 Bridging the workforce gap or 60 positions, so it's a competitive program," schmelzer says. "it's a two- year commitment for students who will work a minimum of 900 hours at a local business and take classes at Northeast Wisconsin technical College. ose hours count toward their college degree." once students are placed, their training follows a state curriculum developed by industry professionals who have compiled a checklist of specific skills. is year, 94 students are participating in the program, with about half already working at area businesses. e chamber is actively pursuing additional partnerships in the areas of auto collision and technology, financial services, engineering, health care and welding. While students gain valuable work skills, area employers benefit from the 10 to 15 hours a week the students work. Experience that matters is year, the chamber is celebrating 20 years of bringing students and employers together. since the program's inception in Brown County, more than 1,100 students have participated, and nearly 700 youth have learned valuable employability skills. James Jakubobsky was introduced to the ya program through Daymian Costello (center), a 2014 Youth Apprenticeship auto technology student from Green Bay Southwest High School, along with his worksite mentor, Bill Sutter (right), Pomps Tire, and Wally Remec (left), auto instructor, NWTC. C O U R T E S Y O F G R E E N B AY A R E A C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E c o n t i n u e d > Find out more at www.bxwi.com Fox Valley 920-687-8782 Milwaukee 414-763-1520 Services that Measure Up De Pere, WI www.robinsonmetal.com ISO 9001: 2008 CERTIFIED FABRICATION ■ MACHINING ■ ASSEMBLY ■ ENCLOSURES HVAC ■ PIPE AND VESSEL