Tech Directions - March 2009 - (Page 15) Job Shadowing Introduces the Realities of Manufacturing By Thomas A. Frawley TFrawley44@aol.com E NGINEERS and skilled tradesmen stood side by side with executives and politicians as Liverpool High School technology teacher Dan Drogo welcomed parents to a one-of-a-kind graduation ceremony at New Process Gear in Syracuse, NY. The manufacturing shadow program had immersed 25 high school students in an intensive five-week experience inside the auto industry. Apprehension had given way to confidence and graduation-day smiles testified to students’ pride in accomplishment. Job shadowing offers students firsthand insight into the realities of manufacturing careers. In this article, I will describe the excellent job-shadowing experience students receive at New Process Gear in Liverpool’s Manufacturing Awareness Program. I hope it will offer useful information and inspiration for my colleagues. Known as “the world’s preferred driveline partner,” the company specializes in the manufacture of transaxles and transfer cases. It is “capable of complete powertrain/ drivetrain design, development, testing, manufacturing, and systems integration,” according to a company A plant tour gets students acquainted with the work environment. profile. The Syracuse facility covers two million square feet and has the largest heat-treat area on the Eastern seaboard. Retired Liverpool technology teacher Jules Balogh recalled, “The summer manufacturing shadow program began in 1995, a natural outgrowth of the School to Work movement . . . to expose kids to industry.” A supportive community advisory team was already in place at Liverpool High School, and increased involvement with realworld activities was actively being pursued. When an initial proposal for a summer job shadow program fell flat, Balogh turned to advisory team member Scott Montani, a member of local UAW 624, to see if his employer, New Process Gear, would be willing to share resources and expertise. “It only took Scott about an hour to sell union and management on the idea of running a job shadow program the following summer,” said Blagoh. Monthly planning meetings began, curriculum was developed, and tech prep came on board with financial support for busing students to the plant. The Liverpool School District obtained proper insurance coverage, signed a contract with New Process Gear, and, with Board of Education support, the summer Manufacturing Awareness Program was born. A key factor in the program’s long-term success centered on the fact that the company and UAW locals 624 and 2149 worked as a team to develop the business-education partnership. Program Details The manufacturing awareness program runs for five weeks each summer, with students arriving at Now retired, Thomas A. Frawley was a technology education teacher, G. Ray Bodley High School, Fulton, NY, when he wrote this article. He was also editor of the New York State Technology Teacher and served on the Editorial Advisory Board of Tech Directions. Signing Up New Process Gear Founded in 1888, the New Process Rawhide Co. manufactured hardened rawhide for such applications as boat skins, chisel handles, and mallets. In 1913, the company began making metal gears for automobiles and the name changed to New Process Gear. Today, New Process Gear is owned by MAGNA Powertrain. www.techdirections.com CTE 15 http://www.techdirections.com
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