Elevate provides scholarships to 12 future manufacturers

June 9, 2016 | 2016 CEO Survey: Workforce, Health Care are Top Priorities Alex Monaghan, Elevate Advanced Manufacturing, amonaghan@measuredintentions.com

Elevate Advanced Manufacturing, the campaign to showcase great career opportunities with Iowa advanced manufacturing companies and fill the existing skills gap, continues to make outstanding progress toward its goals. Elevate staff and volunteer ambassadors from area manufacturing companies visit high schools, community colleges and community events across the state to tell people what it’s really like to work in today’s modern manufacturing environment. Results to date have included a significant upswing in individuals entering manufacturing training programs at area community colleges.

One initiative to get the word out about Elevate is our scholarship program. This year, Elevate gave away 12 $500 scholarships to high school seniors to study a skill needed by advanced manufacturing companies, such as robotics, welding, mechanical engineering, computer numerical control and manufacturing engineering. These in-demand skills mean that the young people will have a lot of great job opportunities upon (and likely before) graduation.

Elevate has more than 100 ambassadors who give presentations across the state to help spread the word about this great initiative. An ambassador from Emerson Fisher Manufacturing in Marshalltown spoke to Marshalltown High School in February, for example, and as a result, offered an internship program for six students. To increase student interest, Emerson Fisher is also opening its company doors to give tours to the students and show them what goes on inside the busy facility. In addition to school presentations, Elevate ambassadors speak to Rotary Clubs and economic development groups and participate in community events.

To get involved with Elevate or to be added to the newsletter or social media contact lists, please contact Alex Monaghan at amonaghan@measuredintentions.com.

2016 Elevate Advanced Manufacturing Scholarship Recipients

Austin Beschen, Northeast Iowa Community College
Logan Rockwell, Eastern Iowa Community College
Alexander Dreesman, Hawkeye Community College
Kyle Post, North Iowa Area Community College
Taylor Roseland, Iowa Lakes Community College
Kollyn Buch, Southwestern Community College
Tyler Wagner, Des Moines Area Community College
Mackenzie Sewell, Indian Hills Community College
Devin Kirkchoff, Iowa Central Community College
Trevor Smith, Northwest Iowa Community College
Matthew Jenkins, Southeastern Community College
Mitchell Callan, Kirkwood Community College