Podcasts are a great way to learn new things — whether you’re listening or even hosting. Just about one year ago, NEW Manufacturing Alliance Executive Director Ann Franz and I headed out to Oshkosh Corporation to celebrate the kickoff of NEW Manufacturing Insights, the podcast we now host together every Thursday. At that event last October, Ann and I led a panel of guests from our first few episodes, one of which was inspiring Seymour High School teacher Staci Sievert, who went back to school so she could pivot disciplines from social studies to tech ed after long lamenting the significant need for the latter in her district. I listened to the thoughtful questions the audience posed to Staci at the event and watched a long line form to chat with her afterward. That was when I learned: The enormity of Wisconsin’s tech ed teacher shortage was worth more attention.
People were certainly drawn to Staci, who has helped passionately advocate for tech education and build in Seymour a model for other communities to emulate. I guess it’s no surprise that this summer Seymour lured one of the other smartest people Ann and I know in tech education, Steve Meyer, to also teach in the district.
Helping others in the New North region understand the tech ed teacher shortage, as well as what the Seymour School District has done about it, was the goal of this month’s cover story, which author Amelia Compton Wolff beautifully tells through the expert eyes of Steve, Staci and others. Turn to page 12 for more, and stay tuned to the NEW Manufacturing Insights podcast for additional coverage.
I encourage you to also turn to page 51 of this issue for details about a brand-new manufacturing event being hosted by Insight Publications. On Nov. 13, we will hold the first-ever Best Places to Work in Manufacturing – Wisconsin event at Lambeau Field.
Thanks to a partnership with Workforce Research Group, which conducted an independent survey of statewide manufacturing firms this past spring, there are 10 high-ranking companies slated to be recognized at that event, as well as in the pages of our next IOM issue in November. I’m happy to report that nine of the top 10 companies are located right here in Northeast Wisconsin. Congratulations to Advanced Tooling, Cherry Optical Lab, Faith Technologies Incorporated (FTI), Fox Cities Builders, HART Design & Manufacturing, HUI Manufacturing, Kadant Grantek, Redline Plastics and Eagle Performance Plastics (coincidentally also featured on page 44 of this issue!) for earning this recognition for workplace excellence. Registration for the Nov. 13 celebration is open now at insightonbusiness.com/bptw.
Speaking of podcasts, events and excitement: Ann and I will once again be kicking off Manufacturing Month with an in-person podcast event: this time, a recording with Werner Electric Supply President Craig Wiedemeier in front of a live audience Oct. 3. This event will be exclusively for people who have already registered to attend the Manufacturing First Expo & Conference on Oct. 30, so be sure to register at manufacturingfirst.com and snag your exclusive invitation. Not only will you get to see the podcast live, but Werner Electric Supply will be hosting us for tours, as well as a panel discussion on cybersecurity.
I hope to see you out and about this Manufacturing Month. It’s a great time to connect and celebrate our industry — and the teachers who helped us get there.
