The Production & Manufacturing Institute
About The
INSTITUTE
Participants pitch their product to "customers"
(Sean Johnson from Collins Aerospace and Thomas Gill from Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce)
We Brought Manufacturing to Students
What we know...
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Students want to EXPERIENCE careers - not just talk about them
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Youth learn best by DOING
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Students need exposure to AMAZING CAREER opportunities in the trades​
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HIGH PAYING MANUFACTURING CAREERS continue to have negative perceptions​
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Successful programs require BUSINESSES to help MAKE IT HAPPEN
​So we did...
NOT ANOTHER "CAMP"
This three-week program for high school students simulates a real work experience. You start from the first minute working as a team to learn new skills, solve problems, and create solutions to help your team and the company succeed. As a member of a product team, others will count on you to bring your best—to show up, share ideas, work hard, and do your best to help everyone succeed...just like work. (We have other programs for middle school and grade school students too.)
PMI Graduate "Sam" is experiencing the CNC Mill at Spokane Community College during Machining Day.
Shane is an Engineer at Wagstaff, Inc. who helps out on Welding Day to help participants experience hands-on fabrication.
EXPOSURE
We pack as much into three weeks as possible. In addition to designing, making, and selling products, we expose you to welding, machining, CAD, and other technical skills to help you understand first-hand what they are all about. We won't make you a welder or machinist in three weeks, but you'll know by the time we're done if you like it and want to learn more or want to pursue additional training.
SUCCESS SKILLS
Some people call them "soft skills," but employers know they are hard skills for qualified talent. We develop communication, teamwork, problem-solving, critical thinking, and leadership. No matter your career interest, these skills will set you apart and help you accelerate. You'll promote faster, earn more, and achieve goals better when you master success factors.
Superintendent Kyle Rydell of West Valley SD visits with Drea about their firepit project using the CNC plasma cutter.
Michael and his team created a production process using Kreg jigs to manufacture patio benches as a product line.
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Participants join from all backgrounds. In fact, most have little or no experience in the shop or with tools. We train everyone in hand tools, handheld power tools, larger tools, metalworking, and other processes. They learn the essentials of production operations, quality, consistency, profitability, and more. Each product line is different, so some gain specific expertise in some areas, but everyone gains new technical skills no matter their experience.
NETWORKING
A big part of the experience is visiting other sites. Field trips to other manufacturers, colleges, apprenticeships, and programs give insight into how production is done in other places. Students see the career opportunities and can hear from others about the pathways they took to get there. It also exposes them to executives from companies and lets them get advice on how to best prepare for their careers.
Students visit the community college and other sites to experience career pathways and opportunities.
Participants visit several employer sites to see manufacturing in practice and learn about many careers available to them.
PATHWAY PREPARATION
Participants learn about multiple pathways to pursue post-graduation career options. We show them steps to pursue:
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4-year university options
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2-year college degrees
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1-year college certificates
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Registered apprenticeships
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Industry recognized credentials
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Military
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Direct-to-work
No matter their choice, there are ways to get ready and achieve success.
WHAT WE COVER
Some of the things we cover are:
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Product Design
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Shop Production
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Quality Management
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Intro to Engineering Concepts
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Production Planning
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Demand Management
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Process Improvement
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Customer Service & Sales
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Marketing & Promotion
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Technical Skills
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...and so much more!!
Students participate in "Welding Day" as they experience welding first-hand with professional welders. They get to experience a "day in the life" of a welder and take what they make.
Mentorship is a critical part of the Institute. Here, Kyle Harrison provides practical tips in technical expertise and professionalism.
NEXT STEP?
To take the next step, sign up for our information emails to stay in touch and receive updates. Applications become available soon after January 1 of each year.
Download Our Guide!
Check out our new booklet - "Experience Manufacturing." It outlines the Institute, its background, the program's impact, and how we plan to grow. This 28-page guide shares more details about where we've been and where we're going to help better prepare high school graduates for their future.