Spotlight

Need:

The Whitewater Career Center near Hoosier Feeder Company provides high school students with real-life experiences, skills and knowledge to be successful in the students’ future careers. When they were looking to upgrade their welding equipment, Hoosier Feeder stepped in and provided updated materials and machinery.  

Action:

Hoosier Feeding Company partnered with PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, to provide Whitewater Career Center’s Welding Technology Program with a matching fund donation through the PMMI U Skills Fund.

Whitewater Career Center’s welding technology program supports comprehensive student engagement with both classroom and hands-on learning experiences including oxy-fuel cutting, shielded metal arc welding, safety skills, print reading, electrical principals, mechanical drawing, and more.

The materials and funds provided by Hoosier Feeder Company and PMMI were used for the Regional FFA Welding Competition, the SkillsUSA fundraiser to assist with contest fees, as well as other initiatives such as replacing the blades on the Edwards Iron worker and 2- GMAW welding guns.  

Forty-four students from 12 high schools participated in the Regional FFA Welding Competition. The Whitewater Career Center welding students will compete in the SkillsUSA Regional Welding & Welding Fabrication Competition this February with potential advancement to the state competition in the spring.

Result:

With the support of local businesses like Hoosier Feeder Company, and organizations like PMMI, Whitewater Career Center’s Welding Technology Program continues to grow and evolve. These programs are better equipped to provide even greater support and education for students.

What Can You Do:

The PMMI U Skills Fund supported Hoosier Feeding Company’s initiative, and any PMMI member can have these types of results for your local schools. Created by PMMI, the PMMI U Skills Fund is a resource intended to help you form meaningful partnerships with regional two- to four-year colleges, universities, and/or technical/vocational schools, as well as other educational programs in your area. The PMMI U Skills Fund will match your company’s contributions up to $50,000 per year to fund regional education programs of your choice. Whether you partner with a school to help strengthen an industry-related program, join forces with a STEM summer camp, coordinate a group of students to bring to PACK EXPO, or choose to invest in the future workforce in multiple ways throughout the year, the PMMI U Skills Fund is here to assist you with the financial obligations that come from these types of initiatives. For more information and to apply, contact Kate Fiorianti, senior manager, workforce development, PMMI at kate@pmmi.org or 571.266.4406.