ATS is committed to engineered craftsmanship — and to introducing the next generation to the skilled trades. In 2021, Troy Behnke, ATS Director of Engineering & Operations reached out to Menasha High School to explore ways to expose students to machining and show them that manufacturing can be a rewarding career path. Five years later, the partnership grew to include an on-premise CNC machine, two machining courses and five current and former youth apprentices.
Building a Foundation for the Trades
Enrollment in the trades, particularly machining, has declined among recent high school graduates in favor of pursuing a traditional four-year degree. ATS saw this as an opportunity to help students gain meaningful exposure to the industry as they consider post-secondary school choices and partnered with Menasha High School to strengthen its machining curriculum.
ATS donated a Milltronics VM2515, a 3-axis CNC vertical machining center similar to the equipment used in its own shop. The machine became the foundation for two courses — Machining I and Machining II — the hands-on portions of which are taught by Terry Mentz, an ATS team member with 35 years of machining experience.
Students begin with the fundamentals: safety, machine setup, measuring and workholding. As they progress, they learn to load tools, program and operate the CNC machine themselves. Projects such as producing cell phone holders and tape dispensers take students through the full manufacturing process, from reviewing engineering drawings and programming to machining and assembly.
“It’s a great way for students to learn about machining quickly to determine if it’s a path they want to pursue,” said Troy. “Terry is a very patient individual and works well with students.”
CNC Machining: From the Classroom to the Shop Floor
Exposure extends beyond the classroom. Students visit the ATS facility to see the machines they use at school operating in a professional manufacturing environment. Those who show interest and aptitude may have the opportunity to participate in ATS’s youth apprenticeship program.
Through the program, high school juniors work at ATS during the summer before their senior year and continue throughout the school year. The experience combines classroom learning with hands-on training, giving students a firsthand look at what a career in machining can look like.
Since the partnership began, five students have participated in the youth apprenticeship program.
“We care about the future of ATS and machining as a whole after we retire,” said Terry. “The effort put into training the next generation and getting them involved in our trade is exciting.”
Learning Through Experience
Terry’s approach is rooted in decades of experience. Rather than simply showing students how to complete a task, he focuses on teaching concepts and helping them understand the reasoning behind the work.
“If I can impart some knowledge and wisdom, I won’t teach a student how to just do one thing,” Terry said. “I will explain a concept, four or five ways if I have to, and throw in examples from my own life experiences.”
That approach helps students build confidence while also giving them an honest look at the trade. Some students discover that machining is not for them after visiting the ATS facility. Others find that it is exactly what they want to pursue.
One student, after visiting ATS and watching team members machine parts, looked at Terry and said, “I want to do this.”
For Terry, moments like that are among the most rewarding parts of the program. “When you have a kid that comes on through the YA program—from a junior in high school with little knowledge, to seeing them actually work independently on our floor—it’s very fulfilling.”
Introducing the Next Generation
The partnership has benefited both students and ATS. Students gain technical skills, exposure to manufacturing and the opportunity to make informed decisions about their futures. ATS gains a stronger connection to the next generation of talent and insight into how to better introduce young people to the industry.
This effort was recognized by the Northeast Wisconsin Manufacturing Alliance (NEWMA) with the K-12 award after ATS was nominated by Menasha High School teachers and staff.
“There was and still is a lot of behind-the-scenes planning to make this program work,” said Troy. “Our goal will continue to be enlightening the next generation.”
Through engineered craftsmanship, hands-on learning and real-world experience, ATS hopes more students will see the skilled trades not simply as an option, but as a career path worth exploring.