NFPA Member, QCC, Starts High School Internship Program

Programs like the Fast Track to Fluid Power/FAMTEN are made possible in part by the generous support of industry volunteers as well as NFPA Education and Technology Foundation and Pascal Society donors. 

A few weeks ago, I presented on NFPA’s Fast Track to Fluid Power/FAMTEN at the Des Plaines Valley Region (DVR) Education for Employment district conference. Jim Becker of QCC also presented at this conference regarding an internship program they started with local school, Ridgewood High School.

QCC and Ridgewood have partnered to create a holistic solution to the manufacturing skills gap by providing meaningful careers to Ridgewood graduates. Ridgewood students take first TMA NIMS training, which includes manufacturing skill-related coursework as outlined by both the Tooling and Manufacturing Association and National Institute for Metalworking Skills. Then the internship itself offers a number of benefits:

• Flexible Scheduling: QCC will accommodate academic scheduling needs to allow students to continue to focus on their studies while getting real-world experience. Students typically work two days per week. 2-2.5 hours each day.
• Professional Guidance: Mentors in this 1-to-1 Mentored Internship are CNC professionals who have volunteered to share their knowledge and experience. The Ridgewood professionalism rubric and QCC review are also administered at midpoint and conclusion of program to keep students on track.
• Financial Support: These internships are paid and also offer tuition reimbursement.
• Career Prospects: In addition to bolstering these students’ resumes, the internship program comes with the possibility of full time employment after graduation.

If you would like to learn more about this program or share what your company is doing in this space, please contact Lynn Beyer at lbeyer@nfpa.com or (414) 778-3364.