The La Porte County Career and Technical Education program held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, May 22, to celebrate a renovated Manufacturing Lab at the A. K. Smith Career Center in Michigan City.
The event marked the installation of two Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Haas milling machines, donated by the Arconic Foundation and by Urschel Laboratories. The milling machines complement a third CNC machine installed in 2016, donated by the Morgan Family Foundation.
“Thanks to the generous donations of these businesses, our manufacturing program is reaching a new level,” said Dr. Barbara Eason-Watkins, superintendent of Michigan City Area Schools, which administers LaPorte County’s career and technical education programming. “This is helping us fill another critical workforce need to ensure the sustainability and growth of industry in this area.”
LaPorte County Career and Technical Education Director Audra Peterson said the modernization of the manufacturing classroom facilitates an expansion of dual credit, certification, and training opportunities for Advanced Manufacturing and Machining students. The lab is also used in partnership with Purdue University Northwest engineering programs. “We will now be able to do more cross training between the Welding and Manufacturing classes and expose students to hydraulics and pneumatics, skills that have been identified by our business partners,” she said.
A design center in the renovated classroom is equipped with computers, a 3D printer, and simulators that enable students to learn to code the new CNC machines. Manufacturing Technology instructor Chris Smith received additional training through Ivy Tech to operate the new equipment and to expand dual-credit offerings for students.
“This is how it starts, connecting business and community,” said Tera Grinnell, HR Director for Arconic. “Our partnership gives us an opportunity to contribute to the cause by donating the equipment - and in turn, it’s advancing the manufacturing profession.”
Jason Martin, Executive Director of Plant Operations for Urschel Laboratories, said the donation of the CNC machine is part of an ongoing relationship between his company and the LaPorte County CTE program, which places high school student interns at Urschel each spring. “We have some very fine students coming through our facility as a result,” he said.
One of those student interns, South Central High School senior Mike Welsh, said the program has prepared him well for a career. “My opportunities are endless for good employment and a solid wage right here in Indiana,” he said. “Everything from the clothes you wear, to medical devices, to race car engines, it all starts with manufacturing.”
Prior to the ribbon cutting, students demonstrated the new CNC machines and led tours of the manufacturing lab for community and business leaders. Among the special guests present for the event were Indiana legislators Senator Mike Bohacek and Representative Jim Pressel, as well as a representative from the office of Indiana Senator Todd Young.