Front row, left to right: Julian Huerta, Blaine Brown, Landon Hahn, Ryan Thomas, Jared Owens. Second row: Faith Traynor, Jaydyn Buhmeyer, Kaleb Neujahr, Cayden DerHasen, Saul Vargas, Jordan Shultz. Third row: Ty Feibel, Angel Escalera, Manuel Vargas, Nolyn Miller, Charles Whitaker.
On Wednesday, 17 students completed the Accelerated Industrial Maintenance (AIM) program, marking the third graduating class of this initiative, which was funded by a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD).
“There’s so much opportunity right here in our stateline area for building a career,” Greg Phillips, Dean of Manufacturing, Apprenticeship, Technology and Transportation, told the graduates. “My hope is that you have a better understanding of your personal interest and that the AIM program helped you or sparked you to build on your interests.”
In partnership with Blackhawk Technical College and the Stateline Manufacturing Alliance, the Accelerated Industrial Maintenance program has been facilitated through the Southwest Wisconsin Workforce Development Board, which received a $1.6 million grant through the DWD in 2022 to implement projects that improve the workforce needs in several critical areas, including industrial maintenance.
Designed for high school students or recent high school graduates, the four-week summer program is comprised of Blackhawk courses that provide a foundation skillset for those seeking career opportunities in industrial maintenance and technology. Participants are paid to complete the courses and earn three credits that can be applied to a degree at Blackhawk or other colleges. The program also included career exploration opportunities at local manufacturers.
Thank you to all our partners who made this program possible, including the Stateline Manufacturing Alliance (SMA), Mid-States Concrete, Scot Forge, Blain’s Farm & Fleet, The Morse Group, Stoughton Trailers, Kuhn, Charter Next Generation, SSI Technologies, Frito-Lay, Fairbanks Morse Defense, and Baker Manufacturing.
2024 AIM Class
Jaydyn Buhmeyer, Beloit Turner High School
Blaine Brown, Clinton High School
Cayden DerHasen, Rock River Charter High School
Angel Escalera, Beloit Memorial High School
Ty Feibel, Clinton High School
Landon Hahn, Clinton High School
Nolan Hatch, Beloit Memorial High School
Julian Huerta, Beloit Turner High School
Josue Jimenez, Beloit Memorial High School
Nolyn Miller, South Beloit High School
Kaleb Neujahr, Beloit Turner High School
Jared Owens, Beloit Turner High School
Jordan Shultz, Beloit Memorial High School
Ryan Thomas, Beloit Turner High School
Faith Traynor, Milton High School
Saul Vargas, Beloit Memorial High School
Manuel Vargas, Beloit Memorial High School
Charles Whitaker, South Beloit High School