West Georgia Technical College just wrapped up its inaugural Manufacturing & Automation Systems Summer Camp. Pictured from left are studentsJosh Ertle, Christian Martinez, Yosgart Galvez-Martinez, Alaukigh Moat, and Alex Worthy.
West Georgia Technical College (WGTC) recently completed its inaugural Manufacturing & Automation Systems Summer Camp, which gave high school students hands-on training and opportunities to meet with local employers.
Students completed 100 hours of instruction, earned OSHA 10 certifications, and students age 18 and older also received forklift certifications.
“We had 100 hours of instruction on basic mechanical and electrical elements,” said Steve Cromer, Vice President, Economic Development at WGTC. “We taught them about hand tools, proper storage, how to read blueprints, troubleshooting, and motor control. By learning these things together, they now know how the mechanical elements work with the electrical elements.”
The camp concluded with the students racing dune buggies that they built.
“I had a partially assembled vehicle that I presented them, and after looking at that they went onto build the large-scale buggies” said Jake Finkelstein, Instructor, Precision Manufacturing at WGTC. “They had to design their vehicles while also calculating how fast the vehicle would go. They really showcased their skills and getting to race these buggies on the last day just goes to show them how hard their work paid off.”
Along with racing dune buggies on the last day, students got to participate in mock interviews with local employers.
“We want to connect these students into the world of work,” Cromer said. “One of the things that we have heard for several years is employers are very concerned about graduating students staying in their in their hometown and working. This camp gave us an avenue to provide students that transition into the world of work in the local community where they live.”
When looking at all the different opportunities the students got to experience, Cromer said that it is important for a camp like this to be immersive.
“When you transition out of high school into the work field, you cannot rely on other people to do your work,” Cromer said. “You have got to use your imagination and the skills you develop. That is why we wanted to give high school students this opportunity where everything was outlined for them so they could take on their responsibilities.”
Because the camp was so immersive, one student said it helped prepare him for what’s next.
“This camp is very important to me because it gave me opportunities that I might not have had outside this environment,” said Josh Ertle, camp attendee. “When you are in an environment with such helpful people, it helps you grow in the right direction.”
The LaGrange Development Authority and Kimberly-Clark sponsored the camp by each donating $5,000. The funds went towards purchasing the carts and the tools needed for the students to build their carts.
“I believe supporting workforce development in our community is vital,” said Scott Malone, President of The LaGrange Development Authority. “When your existing industry base is not growing, you are not going to grow as a community. We are very thankful for partnerships like the one we have with West Georgia Tech because they are helping our community grow.”
Cromer said community investment is vital to the success of the camp.
“Without the local support, both financial and in giving us encouragement, this camp would not have happened,” Cromer said. “We appreciate our community partners so much and we hope that the success of our inaugural camp will help make next year even better.”
