Rockcastle Co. ATC Students

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Rockcastle Co. ATC Students
Attend Manufacturing Career Fair
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Rockcastle County ATC electricity and
welding students got a first hand look at a state
of the art manufacturing facility during a recent
Manufacturing Career Fair. The group of 39 went
to Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc. (HLI), a
commercial vehicle wheel manufacturer located in
Berea, Kentucky. The field trip, part of the
School to Careers Program, was coordinated
through Forward in the Fifth, a non-profit
organization that oversees distribution of funds
for the program in that local labor market.
Ralph Baker, ATC career counselor and former KY
Tech Teacher of the Year (1995), led the student
group. Our goal, in a trip like this, is to
couple what the students are learning in the
classroom with the experiences they will have in
the workforce, said Baker. The visit began
in a conference room with HLI Plant Manager Diane
Zekind and Human Resources Manager Ron Saia. The
students were treated to a presentation on how
the plant operates and given the opportunity to
ask questions. We try to stress to new
employees the importance of job knowledge and
working together, said Saia. Education is the
key to getting in the door. The actual tour
consisted of groups of five going throughout the
plant seeing every aspect of production from
shipping and receiving to modern robotics in
welding. The students were also able to see the
use of sophisticated computer and electrical
technology used in precision machining and the
measurements of various products. Touring
the plant gives us a chance to see what goes on
in a facility like this, said Matthew Silcox, a
junior in the electricity class. I think I
would like to go into electrical engineering
after high school. Kinsye Tucker, a senior
also in the electricity class said Being here
gives us the opportunity to see how projects we
work on in school can be used. I see a lot of
similar applications here that we use in the
classroom. Besides the plant visit,
students were treated to a tour of Berea College,
arranged by Special Programs Director Mary Jane
Stencil. Mr. Baker, who has arranged many
similar events in the past said, We had a full
day of activities but I think trips like this are
essential in teaching the students more about
real-world experiences. It is a way to explain
why we do the things we do in class.
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KY Tech News Flash 13February 24, 2003