Prince Tech Students Visit Eastford Manufacturer
Photo by Dayl Walker
On February 3, 29 students from A. I. Prince Technical High School in Hartford visited Whitcraft LLC, an aerospace components manufacturer in northeastern Connecticut. The students, part of Prince Tech's automated manufacturing technology class, spent the morning touring the facility and learning about Whitcraft's history, its engineering intern program, its products, and the processes used to make them. They met with executives, managers, and technicians and watched demonstrations of CNC machines, engineering software, and lean principles, such as single piece flow. They also participated in a tool design and programming tour as well as a tour of the facility's laser cutting department. [Story continues below photo.]
Last fall, Whitcraft's operations manager, Steven Drewes, attended an open house at Prince Tech, which showcased the school's automated manufacturing technology program, integrated CAD-CAM classrooms, and state-of-the-art software. "I was impressed with the school, the curriculum, the equipment that students were training on, and my interactions with the students themselves," says Drewes. "I thought it would be good if we opened our doors to them and showed them how what they are learning in class has use in the real world."
James Clarke, head of Prince Tech's automated manufacturing technology department, said his students were equally impressed. "They appreciated that everybody from the company president to those on the work floor took time to talk to them," he says. "One student remarked, 'After the tour, they didn't just get us out the door and back on the bus. They brought us back into the meeting room and asked us questions. I liked that.'"
CBIA's Education Foundation helped coordinate the visit. If your company is interested in hosting a student visit, contact us. We can help. E-mail Dayl Walker or Mary deManbey.
