Cleveland Students AIM for Manufacturing Careers

Cleveland, OH (PRWEB) Friday, June 19, 2009 - In Cleveland, Ohio there is no lack of enthusiasm among students who are interested in learning about careers in manufacturing. This week, 50 students began a 5-week career exploration camp at Cleveland's Max S. Hayes Career and Technical High School. Competition to attend WIRE-Net's Accelerated Introduction to Manufacturing Camp was steep with over 270 applicants vying for the 50 slots.

Those selected for "AIM" camp will enter 9th or 10th grade this fall. They were chosen based on demonstrating a minimum grade point average of 2.5, a B average or higher in math, and the recommendation of their school math teacher. WIRE-Net hopes that the camp will help build the pipeline of students who will want to attend Max Hayes, the only high school in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District that teaches academic and technical skills in manufacturing related trades.

According to Jessica Walker, WIRE-Net's AIM Camp Program Coordinator, students will learn marketable skills. "Over the course of the 5 weeks, students learn fundamental skills such as measuring, reading blue prints, basic machining, shop safety, and applied math, science, technology, and life skills. They also will tour a local advanced manufacturing plant so students see the connection between what they learn in the classroom and the skills they need for success in advanced manufacturing."

AIM Camp will operate Monday through Friday beginning June 15th through July 16th with morning and afternoon sessions. Tuition for the camp is free to students. The camp provides students with the opportunity to earn a stipend based on behavior, performance, timeliness, and attendance. AIM Camp is funded through several sources including: U.S. Department of Labor MAGICC grant to the Cleveland/Cuyahoga County Workforce Investment Board, MYCom (part of the Youth Development Initiative of Cuyahoga County and is partially funded through Cuyahoga County Board of County Commissioners and Starting Point), as well as corporate and private foundations.