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Historically, Kaukauna High School's Technology and Engineering program has utilized grants to continuously upgrade equipment and provide cutting-edge, industry-relatable tools for student learning and spent countless hours working with area businesses to provide students opportunities for real-world, hands-on experiences. The program's goal of preparing students for high-skill, high-pay jobs - within our own community - has been achieved many times over.
This week, KHS will unveil another addition to its fleet of new and relevant equipment for students: a state-of-the-art CNC machine for the high school metals program. In partnership with Fox Valley Tool & Die, the KHS Technical Education Department leaders wrote a Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Fast Forward grant to fund the $100,000 addition. This grant from the DWD actually funds 1/3 of the cost of the machine; the remaining cost is to be paid by the KHS Technical Education department-raised funds, and a local business (Fox Valley Tool & Die) match of those department-raised funds. In addition to their financial contribution to the CNC machine, Fox Valley Tool & Die additionally funded over $5,000 in tooling for the new Mazak Machining Center.
The new CNC mahine will serve as the high school's sixth full-size CNC unit, joining a fleet that has a successful history of serving students. Professionals from Fox Valley Tool & Die will collaborate with our highly-skilled high school instructors to give the students opportunities for hands-on experience and understanding of real-world scenarios.
With this hands-on experience in our high school environment, students are able to explore their interests, which can lead to career paths down the road. The KHS Youth Apprenticeship/Co-op program has matched more than 700 students with potential career paths, some who move directly into those careers following high school. "Nearly every machine tool manufacturing firm in the Fox Valley region employs one or more KHS Technology Education Program graduates," adds Mr. Nels Lawrence, engineering teacher at KHS. "Additionally, dual-credit opportunities and exceptional training have saved students thousands of dollars (and time) in post-secondary education."
The success of the Technology Education program was recognized on a national level last year as KHS was awarded the "Excellence in Action" award by National Advance CTE for their Manufacturing Career Cluster, and again this month with the "Brighter Image" award by the NEW Manufacturing Alliance as part of the their Excellence in Manufacturing/K-12 Partnerships Awards. Regionally, the KHS Technology Education program has been recognized by the Mechanical Contractors Association, Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 400 and Miller Electric for their "Commitment to Excellence in Technical Education."
Principal Corey Baumgartner is proud of the success of the program and its impact on students. "I have been blessed to be able to witness this department and group of individuals positively transform our youth and change lives through their mentorship and teaching."
Additional information about the program, awards, and the new equipment addition can be supplied by KHS Machine Tool Instructor Craig Sackmann, who can be reached at (920) 766-6113x5605 or sackmannc@kaukaunasd.org or KHS Engineering Instructor Nels Lawrence, who can be reached at lawrencen@kaukaunasd.org. Those interested in seeing the additional equipment will be welcomed on Wednesdays when KHS students are not in the building due to their scheduled virtual learning days.
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