Project Mission:
Improve the image of manufacturing and help students, parents, educators, and the community understand that manufacturing provides excellent career opportunities, which will help create a skilled workforce to meet manufacturing needs today and in the furture.
Educational Benefits for Students:
- Learn hands-on engineering, manufacturing skills through design and construction of a mini-chopper.
- Earn college credits while having fun!
- Foster creative and critical thinking.
- Learn and apply creative problem solving methods and tools.
- Develop teamwork, collaboration, and leadership skills.
- Enhance and apply communication and presentation skills.
Skills Learned:
- Mechanical Design
- Welding
- Painting
- Budget Management
- Project Management
- Quality Control
- Safety
- Marketing
- Public Speaking
- Teamwork
- Time Management
- Problem Solving
- Information Technology
Potential Career Paths:
- Mechanical Engineer
- Electrical Engineer
- Manufacturing Engineer
- Welder
- Painter
- Machinist
- Project Manager
- Quality Engineer
- Quality Control
- Safety Compliance
Community Benefits
- Establish relationship between schools and sponsoring team.
- Builds excitement for skilled manufacturing careers in the community.
- Promotes public knowledge about technical and manufacturing careers available in Manitowoc County.
The Future Workplace
- Wisconsin is the second most manufacturing-intesive state in the United States.
- Due to massive "Baby Boomer" retirements, the manufacturing industry is facing growing workforce shortage.
- We need young adults to join the workforce that builds the products that we depend on for our way of life.
Mini Chopper Photos:
Mini Chopper Program visit to LaCrosse
Mini Chopper Program Kickoff at LDI 9/4/2008
Mini Chopper Program Kickoff at WAF 9/9/2008
Mini Chopper Program Kickoff with Spancrete at Valders High School 9/10/2008
Mini Chopper Program Kickoff at Manitowoc Cranes 9/11/2008
Mini Chopper In the News:
Three Minutes with the Mayor - "LDI Builds Future Workforce" 9/8/2008