Integrating Business and Education
The Shop Rat Education Program encompasses hands-on in-school curriculum, community activities (such as Manufacturing Day) and extra-curricular classes and camps. A key priority for the Shop Rat Foundation is accessibility for all. In its commitment to this priority, the organization is constantly working toward this by addressing cultural, financial and geographic barriers that students and families may be facing.
Shop Rat Education features curriculum utilized within the Shop Rat Education Program focuses on:
- Building Trades
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Precision Machining
- Robotics
- Welding
It has been designed to align with local industry needs, as well as CTE (career and technical education) standards. The Shop Rat Education Program encompasses in-school and extra-curricular offerings, providing youth enrolled in grades 3-10 an opportunity to explore and prepare for future careers within the manufacturing and professional trades sectors. Learn more about this amazing community partner Shop Rat Foundation.
Through our Community Engagement Program, we are actively:
- Developing training opportunities that encourage the participation of underrepresented groups in skilled trades
- Strengthening partnerships with government, workforce, and educational organizations focused on career and technical education (CTE) and on-the-job training
- Establishing pathways for job seekers to connect with subcontractors seeking skilled trades positions on our projects
- Our Community Engagement team works closely with project delivery teams to turn client hiring goals into actionable workforce strategies that reflect the needs of the local community.
- Offering paid skilled trades training through the Barton Malow Boot Camp pre-apprenticeship program
Barton Malow Boot Camp
Since 2016, the Barton Malow Boot Camp has offered a paid work experience for those interested in the skilled trades 18-24 to learn industry fundamentals. This program focuses on preparing participants for skilled trades apprenticeships and is a collaborative effort with clients, local governments, trade unions, and professional development partners to address the industry’s labor shortage.
The Barton Malow Boot Camp offers:
- An overview of the construction industry’s history and culture
- Financial literacy education
- OSHA and soft skills training
- Information on apprenticeship career paths
- On-the-job training in areas like concrete and heavy civil work
To learn more about Barton Malow.
Serving Students + Our Community
The EMU Institute for STEM Education, Outreach, and Workforce Development (STEM Ed Institute, in short) is a community-driven hub for integrating STEM-related support systems and opportunities.
Building on community assets, and engaging collaboratively with community interests and expertise, the STEM Ed Institute coordinates and integrates STEM initiatives, activities and programming across three primary areas: education, outreach, and workforce development. To learn more about STEM ED.
ZOLLER is a global leader in tool presetting, measuring, inspection, and tool management solutions, helping manufacturers achieve the highest levels of precision, productivity, and quality.
As a family-owned company with a strong commitment to education and workforce development, ZOLLER partners with schools, career and technical education programs, colleges, and community organizations to inspire the next generation of skilled professionals. Through apprenticeships, student engagement programs, technical training, and industry partnerships, we help bridge the gap between education and advanced manufacturing careers.
Guided by our core values of precision, innovation, quality, and continuous learning, ZOLLER is dedicated to developing both cutting-edge technology and the future workforce that drives manufacturing excellence.
Interested in bringing manufacturing career exploration, industry expertise, apprenticeships, or workforce development opportunities to your students? Contact Michael Stepke, Head of Academy and Workforce Development, to learn more.
For more information about Zoller.