I recently had an opportunity to visit the technical education department at the Eleva-Strum high school. While I was in the shop, there was an eighth-grade class working on manual milling projects, sheet metal projects, welding projects, and brazing projects. These projects that they were making teach the students the fundamental principles of manufacturing. With this class, the students spend six days in each subject area, then they switch to another project. They learn the basics like how to read a tape measure, and how to use a dial caliper.

The school has technical education classes starting in sixth grade and by time the students reach their senior year of high school, they can be a part of the Cardinal Manufacturing student-run business program. In that program, the students have job titles and responsibilities for managing the various tasks of the business.

There are many skills the students can learn and develop from the program. From career opportunity understanding as it relates to manufacturing, to soft skill development for future employment opportunities, this program has many benefits. Here are some of the soft skills the students learn in the program:

• Attitude is everything

• Show up on time and be dependable

• Be willing to take on different tasks

• Communicate positively