High School-Level Manufacturing Education

Shared Experiences and Future Directions for Georgia

Ben Kraft• PhD Student in City

and Regional Planning• Georgia Institute of

TechnologySTIP Internship Readout8/21/14

Photo: Hawthorne School of Manufacturing and Engineering

Context and Contribution of Research

The retirement of an older manufacturing workforce is expected to deepen the skills gap.

Emphasis on training has been at the post-secondary level.

Starting earlier can benefit students and the workforce.

What can we learn from high school programs in other states to enhance Georgia’s skill base?

Career and Technical Education (CTE)

Is the contemporary equivalent of “vocational education”

Stresses The development of career-oriented AND academic skills Career exploration Equal viability of various post-high school options Contextual, project-based, and work-based learning

In a controlled quasi-experimental study, graduates of career academies demonstrated $2,000/year in additional earnings over their counterparts.*

*Kemple, James J. 2008, “Career Academies: Long-Term Impacts on Labor Market Outcomes, Educational Attainment, and Transitions to Adulthood.”

CTE in Georgia

Nationwide, 4.2% of CTE students concentrate in manufacturing.

In Georgia, only 1.3% do.

Source: Perkins Collaborative Resource Network, US Department of Education, 2010-2011 school year

CTE Delivery

Format Description Considerations

Traditional model*

Comprehensive High School or Technical/Vocational High School

Can emphasize or de-emphasize academics. Vocational schools may have stigma.

Integrated model*

Career Academy or Area Career Center

Similar to a college “major”; Creates small learning communities, can be resource intensive or efficient, depending on model

Apprenticeship

Paid, “on-the-job” training combined with academics at home high school

Less flexible, requires significant industry involvement

*These categories are based on four models defined by the Association of Career and Technical Education, but have been consolidated for the purposes of this presentation.

Characteristics of Selected Manufacturing CTE Programs

School Location Geography Delivery Model Programs Offered Recognition

Francis Tuttle Technology Center

Oklahoma City, OK

Suburban Integrated - Area Career Center

Advanced Manufacturing, Precision Machining

Partnership Response in Mfg Education (PRIME), Manufacturing Institute’s M-List

Hawthorne High School – School of Manufacturing and Engineering

Hawthorne, CA (LA area)

Urban Integrated - Career Academy

General Manufacturing and Engineering

PRIME

Austin Polytechnical Academy

Chicago, IL Urban Traditional - Technical/Vocational High School

General Manufacturing

Numerous news and trade publications

Eleva-Strum High School – Cardinal Manufacturing

Strum, WI Rural Traditional - Comprehensive High School

Woodworking, CAD/CAM, Metalworking, Cardinal Manufacturing

Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), Modern Machine Shop

Aiken Career and Technology Center – MTU Apprenticeship

Aiken/Graniteville, SC

Rural, Suburban, Small City

Apprenticeship Industrial Mechanic Basic

ACTE, New York Times, White House

Sources: Interviews with representatives from schools, schools’ websites, association websites, and listed publications.

Francis Tuttle Technology Center

One of three campuses

Unique statewide funding system – self-assessed property tax

Classes include high school and adult learners

Invites employers to campus for interviews

Average starting salary for advanced manufacturing students: $20/hr

Location: OKLAHOMA CITY, OK

Delivery Model: INTEGRATED – AREA CAREER CENTER

“CTE Pioneer”

Data source: Interview with Campus Director, Portland Campus, Francis Tuttle Technology Center

Hawthorne High School – School of Manufacturing and Engineering

Make location an asset

Small classes – 80 per grade level

Extensive outreach efforts include Visiting elementary and

middle schools (with alums and employers)

Taking parents on field trips Highlighting successful First

Robotics team

98.9% graduation rate

Location: HAWTHORNE, CA (SOUTH LOS ANGELES AREA)

Delivery Model: INTEGRATED – CAREER ACADEMY

“Inner-City Aerospace Pipeline”

Data source: Interview with Coordinator of Hawthorne School of Manufacturing and Engineering and school website

Austin Polytechnical Academy

Thoroughly planned and researched

Intended to fill workforce and community needs

Joint effort between Manufacturing Renaissance and Chicago Public Schools

Outcomes 158 students have earned 237

National Institute of for Metalworking skills certifications

28 full time job placements since 2011 174 paid internships

Location: CHICAGO, IL

Delivery Model: TRADITIONAL – VOCATIONAL SCHOOL

“Community Development Through Manufacturing Education”

Data source: Interview with Program Director of Manufacturing Renaissance and school website

Cardinal Manufacturing at Eleva-Strum High School

Commercial manufacturing business for small, custom jobs

Students learn business and other soft-skills.

Profits go to program upgrades and to students.

Cardinal Manufacturing has respect and status.

Location: STRUM, WI

Delivery Model: TRADITIONAL – COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOL

“Student-Run Manufacturing Business”

Data source: Interview with Technology Education Teacher at Eleva-Strum and school website

Aiken County Career and Technology Center – Apprenticeship Program

Partnered with MTU, a Germany-headquartered diesel engine manufacturer

Average age of apprentice in US is 30.

Apprenticeship requires 1000 hours of paid, supervised work, mostly during summer

3 of original 6 students set to graduate in 2014.

16 to 18 year-olds can work in manufacturing facilities.

Location: AIKEN, SC

Delivery Model: APPRENTICESHIP

“German-style Apprenticeship”

Data source: Interview with CTE Director and Principal of Aiken County Career and Technology Center

Shared Experiences and Future Directions

1. Create small learning communities.

2. Seek non-traditional funding sources.

3. Partner with industry and industrial advocacy groups.

4. Recognize that high school students are not too young to receive on-the-job training in the form of internships or apprenticeships.

5. Reach out to younger students and parents.

Student employees at Cardinal Manufacturing