Call us today: 708-425-9080
Meyer Tool Production Supervisor Serves as Judge in Lincoln-Way Welding Competition
|
March 18, 2019
|
|
Meyer Tool's Production Supervisor, Bob Aspen, served as a judge in the third annual Lincoln-Way High School District 210 Welding Competition held on the evening of Thursday, March 7, 2019 at Lincoln-Way Central High School in New Lenox. At Meyer Tool, we are committed to impacting the world around us. The opportunity to interact with teens and highlight manufacturing as a rewarding and viable career path is a win-win. Students benefit from realizing there is an expanse of career opportunities they may not have previously been aware of, and industry may gain a few of them down the road as competent employees, helping combat the current skills-gap we face when it comes time to hire.
The competition brings students from all 3 Lincoln-Way schools in District 210 together for a total of about 60 participating students, split into two divisions - intermediate and advanced. Welders of both skill levels competed to showcase their expertise by taking part in a series of written and practical tests, designed to engage and challenge even the most talented students in their class. Bob enjoyed his time at the competition and left enthusiastic about both the facility AND the up-and-coming generation of welders. "I was astonished by the weld shop - the equipment was in excellent condition and the shop was clean. The students obviously respect the space." Bob joined the Iron Workers Local #444 and the Pipefitters Local #597 in critiquing the quality of welds based on instructed criteria. They also provided constructive feedback to each individual welder on how to improve their skills. 
The students gain from industry involvement in these events. Contact with those already practicing in the field can provide insight on what they can expect if they choose to go down that road. Competitors also learned about Meyer Tool’s willingness to partner with the next generation of welders by offering a tuition-reimbursement program that allows employees to attend classes in pursuit of a technical degree while they gain on-the-job experience. That means a person who enjoys hands-on work can gain the advantage of having earned a college or technical degree, real-world experience, and no debt in the same time period their peer has just finished traditional college, incurred long-term debt, and is looking for their first job.
At Meyer Tool, we are interested in spreading the good word of manufacturing careers. By participating in career-oriented manufacturing and fabrication events, we advance our mission to develop the next generation of tradespeople. By standing alongside the workforce of tomorrow, we are able to plant seeds, not only in students who have already enrolled in a class to learn the art of welding, but also in their parents, where we typically are combating the idea that traditional college is the only way to launch a fruitful career. |
For industry professionals, it’s exciting to see the era of shuttered high school shops finally coming to an end. Early adopter to this trend, Lincoln-Way, strives to provide varied opportunities through Career and Technical Education courses designed to broaden students' career view. Instructor Daymon Gast leads the way teaching Welding Technology I and II to interested District 210 students. Participation in the welding program has grown year after year. They have now expanded their offerings to three years (or levels) of classes for students, beginning as early as their sophomore year. Mr. Gast seems to be doing an excellent job. When asked about the overall impression he had interacting with the students, Bob replied, “It was nice to get out and engage with this eager group of students who are interested in welding as a future profession.”
|
