Throwback Thursday: Showing Off Their Shirts
I have a fondness for WCTC because every year they request our Top 10 Reasons to Be a Moldmaker t-shirts and the students wear them! I recently received this photo, which prompted my throwback this week to others who have showed off our shirts.
This photo shows the second-year tool and die students at Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) with their new Top 10 t-shirts. Dual Enrollment Academy students (high school students who are enrolled in WCTC’s tool and die program) were also given the shirts. Bob Novak, Associate Dean of the School of Applied Technologies, says that “hardly a day goes by without seeing one of the shirts in the labs.” That’s what I like to hear! A good way to promote our industry.
Bob said every student in the photo has multiple offers for apprenticeships. Last year there were more than 2,000 area machining job openings reported by Wisconsin TechConnect.
WCTC’s Tool & Die Dual Enrollment Academy is now in its fifth year and currently has 16 area high school seniors taking courses with WCTC instructors in their own labs on their own equipment with their our curriculum, and earning WCTC credits. Bob is very proud, as he should be. A few of the students in the picture are former Dual Enrollment students who have continued in the WCTC program.
When it comes to WCTC today, it has begun to integrate its manufacturing programs (Machining and Automation) by introducing machine-tending by robots. On top of that, they have added a new program to the Manufacturing Department, Manufacturing Engineering Technology.
Bob also notes that there has been a resurgence in its Injection Mold Setup Apprenticeship program, which currently has 23 apprentices! Lastly, they are in the final stages of approval to offer the related instruction for the new Mechatronics Apprenticeship.
Bob said he could go on and on if I wanted to hear about their other programs: Metal Fab/Welding, Automation Systems Technician, Industrial Maintenance Technician, and numerous other apprenticeships. I recommend if anyone is interested to check out WCTC today.
If you work with a school that has a new or thriving moldmaking-related program or know of one, please shoot me an email and we’ll hook up some students with our MMT Top 10 tees while I learn about program to help promote it.
And while I have your attention, the New Year is right around the corner, so start thinking about your Top 10 Reasons for Being a Moldmaker and submit them to be considered for our 2018 t-shirt.
Top Reasons to Participate:
- All participants will receive a free exhibit hall pass to amerimold ($25 value) and a Top 10 Reasons to Be a MoldMaker t-shirt!
- Authors of submissions selected for the Top 10 will receive a free amerimold ALL ACCESS PASS! The amerimold ALL ACCESS PASS includes: a free exhibit hall pass ($25 value), a Technical Conference Pass ($295 value), a ticket to the amerimold VIP Networking Reception ($50 value), access to all keynote addresses, and your name, title, and company name will be listed in the amerimold 2018 Event Directory!
- The author of the #1 Reason to Be a MoldMaker will receive the amerimold ALL ACCESS PASS AND a $250 Visa gift card!
To refresh your memory, here is our 2017 top 10 list.
Happy New Year!
