How Do We Get Students Interested in Manufacturing? Let Them Run Their Own Enterprises.

Robert Zaruta, the President and CEO of the Northwest Industrial Resource Center (NWIRC), explains that the secret to getting manufacturing students invested in the industry is to let them run their own enterprises. This article originally appeared in Insight Jam, an enterprise IT community that enables human conversation on AI.

The future success of American manufacturing depends on developing a skilled, entrepreneurial workforce. Student-run manufacturing enterprises are an innovative way to meet this challenge by attracting young people to the industry.

Student-run manufacturing enterprises are where students run all aspects of a manufacturing business, including production, machining, quality, engineering and design, sales and quotes, accounting, shipping and receiving, and marketing. These enterprises connect industry with high schools and technical-oriented career centers to give students a chance to pursue hands-on and purposeful work. This enables them to develop relationships with manufacturing leaders, leading to a potential job opportunity in the future, which benefits both the student and the local economy.

A Working Manufacturing Classroom 

The student-run enterprise model has been around for several years and continues to grow in popularity. It is a great way to bring schools together with local industry to explore and plan how an enterprise can match a school’s current capabilities with the needs of manufacturers in each community. The common thread in these enterprises is putting what the students learn during their coursework into practice.

Faculty members often oversee the enterprise to provide guidance and meet educational objectives. Because the students run all aspects of the manufacturing business, they collaborate with local manufacturers to explore production or services they provide, quote work, produce parts, invoice for jobs, and complete other tasks associated with the manufacturing process. This makes the student-run enterprise a valued part of the supply chain for their new customers.

Furthermore, this model gives students a panoramic view of manufacturing and will help usher in the next generation of manufacturing leaders with entrepreneurial training. Site visits and internship opportunities can supplement the student-run format and help students establish personal connections. Students can also learn the fundamentals of advanced manufacturing, gaining familiarity with mechatronics, digital manufacturing, advanced materials and design, and many other specialties. Finally, students gain soft skills training in office communications, problem-solving, critical thinking, and team building.

The Next Generation of the Manufacturing Workforce

Student-run manufacturing enterprises address an urgent and continuous need for a skilled workforce. Their unique dynamics attract students from all backgrounds, many of whom have not previously considered a career in the manufacturing industry. They provide those unfamiliar with manufacturing with exposure to advanced technology and potential career options. Since the enterprise is run like a business, it also has the potential to engage students in fields such as marketing, pre-engineering, and business administration.

Any student-run manufacturing enterprise must have steady access to sufficient resources. Funding, materials, and equipment are non-negotiables for the enterprise’s success. A sustainable business model that can continue to operate and grow beyond the initial stages is essential for long-term success. Students must balance their academic responsibilities with their roles in the enterprise, requiring time management and prioritization.

Student-run enterprises are win-win for everyone. Participating students gain valuable experience in an industry that can offer them lucrative career options. Meanwhile, industries benefit from the products produced by these enterprises while laying the groundwork to recruit prospective employees.