Manufacturers have been challenged over the last decade or longer with declines in skilled labor, tradespeople, and people interested in STEM industries. To help change the outlook and ensure Indiana manufacturers have the talent they need to thrive in the future, Rathburn Tool & Manufacturing has been part of a leadership team of local businesses helping DeKalb Central Schools organize and launch Baron Advanced Manufacturing (BAM). This is a collaboration between DeKalb Central Schools, local businesses, and Purdue University’s Indiana Manufacturing Competitiveness Center (In-MaC).

The BAM program is designed to help students get exposure to manufacturing and engineering businesses while also engaging in the work in person. Rathburn Tool & Manufacturing President and CEO, Angie Holt, notes, “The BAM program gives high school students the opportunity to build great technical skills, as well as exposes them to multiple different manufacturing environments.” She adds, “BAM combines hands-on technical training in the classroom with real-life job experience and learning opportunities on the shop floor.”

“BAM isn’t just about sitting in classrooms and reading about how work is done,” Holt continues. “For example, students will learn about safety, quality, materials science, tooling, maintenance and machining, as well as life skills needed to succeed in their career.”

After completing the program, students will have the opportunity to directly enter the workforce with advanced skills to begin a successful career or continue to advance their education in a manufacturing-related field.