Craftsman with Character

Just released: Our founder, Dave Hataj, was recently interviewed on The Manufacturing Executive Podcast to discuss the work we're doing at CWC. Thanks for spreading the word about how we're making an impact in communities across the country. Listen here: https://lnkd.in/g9kNtu7v

🌟 Exciting News! 🌟 We are thrilled to announce that Debra Prowse is joining the Craftsman with Character team as our new Program Implementation Director! Deb brings a wealth of experience and a passion for vocational education that perfectly aligns with our mission to develop skilled, character-driven professionals. Deb's journey and achievements are truly inspiring, and we're confident she will significantly impact our programs and the communities we serve. To learn more about Deb and her dedication to vocational education, check out this great article: https://lnkd.in/g3kugTwi Please join us in welcoming Deb to the team! 🎉 #TeamAnnouncement #VocationalEducation #WorkforceDevelopment #CraftsmanWithCharacter

🎉 Congratulations to the graduates of our CWC class at Evansville High School! 🎉 They recently celebrated the last day of their Craftsman with Character class with a special event. The Stoughton Trailers, LLC crew treated everyone to a delicious breakfast, where they handed out certificates and awards to their amazing students. They had a fantastic time reminiscing and sharing wonderful stories about each student, with representatives from local businesses and the school joining them. We are incredibly grateful for the participation and support from Baker Manufacturing and Evansville Ford, alongside Stoughton Trailers, LLC. A big thank you to everyone who contributed to making this day memorable. Your dedication and involvement play a crucial role in shaping the future of these talented individuals. Here are some highlights from the celebration:

🎓 Congratulations to the latest graduates from our Edgerton High School class! We are incredibly proud of these students who have completed the Craftsman with Character program. Their dedication and hard work have truly paid off. ✨ Highlights from our graduation ceremony: - Edgerton Gear awarded 8 graduates with a $250 "Tools for the Trades" scholarship. - Additionally, Edgerton Gear awarded 6 seniors $1,000 towards higher education, claimable after completing their first semester. - The Delzer Family generously awarded 3 students with a pair of Redwing Boots, valued at $250. - In total, approximately $8,750 was awarded in scholarships to support these talented young individuals in their future endeavors. A heartfelt thank you to the mentors from Steve’s 51 Repair, EDGERTON SCHOOL DISTRICT Maintenance, The Harbor at Newville, Edgerton Gear, Inc., and IKI Manufacturing who attended the celebration. Your guidance and support have been invaluable. We also extend our gratitude to Morrisons Auto Salvage and The City Of Edgerton for their ongoing support, even though they couldn't attend the event. Join us in celebrating these remarkable students and wishing them success in their future careers!

Congratulations to the Craftsman with Character graduates at Beloit Turner High School! We loved hearing stories from students, parents, teachers, and business partners about their positive experiences throughout the semester.

It’s almost like I’m living the movie Mr. Holland’s Opus. I never would have thought that teaching high school students the Craftsman with Character curriculum would impact me the way it has. Helping these students slow down to chew on what’s really important in life and find dignity and purpose in work while they try on a career in manufacturing is extremely satisfying and rewarding. The school semester is now over and the Opportunity Knocks interns have completed the job shadowing program. Each student got up in front of the whole shop at break time and shared what they had learned, what their plans are after graduation, and thanked their mentors. The secret sauce to the whole program is when the students connect with their mentors. That’s when it gets real! We love manufacturing and it shows! I am so proud of Courtney Silver for utilizing Ketchie Inc’s resources to invest in our community and our industry.

Craftsman with Character celebrates the positive trends in the job market, particularly in skilled trades—a field close to our hearts. As advocates for skill development and career advancement, we're inspired by this growth and remain dedicated to empowering craftsmen and women in their careers. #SkilledTrades https://lnkd.in/ggKmxQsW

🛠️ Exciting times ahead for the trades industry! 🚀 Check out this insightful article from NPR discussing how Gen Z is redefining career paths and embracing vocational schools and trades jobs. It's inspiring to see young professionals recognizing the value of craftsmanship and hands-on skills. At Craftsman with Character, we're proud to champion the next generation of skilled workers. Let's continue to support and celebrate the diverse talents within our industry! Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/ecwqvhwD #Trades #Craftsmanship #VocationalEducation #GenZ #SkillsForSuccess #CraftsmanWithCharacter

In our Craftsman with Character class each week, the Opportunity Knocks students and I talk quite a bit about dignity and purpose in work and how the heart of the matter is a matter of the heart. The Powertec Industrial Motors team is passionate about what they do and about manufacturing.

🎉 What an incredible turnout last week in Waukesha County, WI! 🚀 We're thrilled to report that our event, aimed at empowering youth and bridging the gap between education and industry, was a resounding success! Key business and school leaders joined forces to explore our program, sponsored by the U.S. Navy and in partnership with Waukesha County Technical College and Superior Crane Corp. - Healy Manufacturing Group. The enthusiasm in the room was contagious as we discussed the program's potential to provide students with real-world skills and opportunities. A heartfelt thank you to our phenomenal speakers: Dave Hataj, our founder whose passion drives this initiative forward; Mickie Healy from Superior Crane Corp., whose industry insights are invaluable; representatives from Waukesha County Technical College, our essential partners in this endeavor; and Miranda Shurer, a distinguished representative from the U.S. Navy, whose presence underscored the program's significance. With such strong support from our community's leaders, we're excited to announce that the Craftsman with Character program will be taking off in a big way in Waukesha, WI next school year! 🌟 Together, we're paving the way for a brighter future by equipping students with the skills they need to succeed in the workforce. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue this journey to empower our youth and strengthen our local economy. Join us in making a difference! #WaukeshaCounty #CraftsmanWithCharacter #Education #IndustryPartnerships #EmpoweringYouth