The Regional Manufacturing Council on Technical Education (RMCTE) is an organized and staff supported forum designed to provide businesses in the manufacturing industry a coordinated voice to influence and improve the education and skills training programs in South Central Kansas.
This industry collaborative emerged in 2013 through discussions between the Wichita Manufacturer’s Association and Workforce Alliance and has grown to include over 55 participants, representing more than 30 companies in the Wichita region. The RMCTE’s primary purpose is to promote the manufacturing industry in schools and help grow the future workforce through direct contact with teachers, counselors, students and parents.
The RMCTE is working directly with USD 259, Wichita Area Technical College, and other school districts in South Central Kansas to raise awareness about the variety highly skilled careers in STEM industries.
The RMCTE is very supportive of Senate Bill 155 and the impact this legislation is having on the number of students enrolled in career and technical education (CTE) The employer members of the RMCTE want to be more involved in what is taught in the manufacturing classrooms by improving teachers’ knowledge, which will result in a higher level of skills sets upon graduation, and increased soft skills that employers require.
The RMCTE is engaged in developing plans and strategies to have a direct influence of Manufacturing Programs at local schools through advising regional educators on the industry’s needs and trends, facilitating curriculum updates to prepare students for future careers in manufacturing, and to assist in promoting enrollment in manufacturing programs.
Members of the RMCTE are also committed to a hands-on approach by directly engaging with the manufacturing students by hosting facility tours, serving as guest speakers in the classrooms, hosting manufacturing teachers for externships and showcasing career pathways with Edge Factor, a software program provided by WMA.
RMCTE Strategic Plan
Regional Manufacturing Council on Technical Education (RMCTE) Manufacturing Promotion to High School Students
The RMCTE is seeking companies to get involved in the promotion of manufacturing careers to high school students. The following activities have been discussed with USD 259 and RMCTE member:
Plant Tours
Provide tours to USD 259 Manufacturing Technical Education Students to view a wide array of manufacturing processes, including welding, assembly and production, machining, drafting/CAD and other advanced manufacturing. Tours can be scheduled at the convenience of the company in coordination with USD 259 teachers, with an emphasis on Manufacturing Day in October.
If you are interested in providing tours through the academic year sign up at: http://stempact2020.org/interactive-plant-tours/ or contact Amanda Duncan or 316-771-6661.
Guest Speakers in High School Classrooms
Provide list of available individuals from various levels of your company (management, engineering, production) to make guest speaker presentations about their company and available career opportunities in manufacturing for USD 259 High School Manufacturing Technical Education classes. There is a specific request for your employees who might be easily relatable to students as recent HS graduates, and even trying to align the Wichita high school graduates at your facilities to speak at their alma maters. Teachers have requested one speaker for each class, per semester.
Speaking opportunities will be scheduled at the convenience of the individual/company in coordination with USD 259 teachers. This would be a one time/day commitment of the speaker for the semester, unless they volunteer to speak in additional classrooms.
If you are interested in becoming a guest speaker in a classroom sign up at: http://stempact2020.org/guest-speakers-cte/ or contact Amanda Duncan or 316-771-6661.
Senior Project Mentors
Provide list of available individuals from various levels of your company (management, engineering, production) to serve as a 1:1 mentor to USD 259 seniors who are completing a capstone project related to manufacturing.
Mentor opportunities will be coordinated by each high school. This would be a commitment of approximately 20 hours of time from the mentor.
If you are interested in serving as a senior project mentor sign up at: http://stempact2020.org/senior-project-mentors/ or contact Amanda Duncan or 316-771-6661.
Donation of Materials
Schools are in need of supplies for manufacturing classes, including scrap metal (specifically aluminum), wood, pipe, rivets and other consumables. In addition, equipment and tools that you might be phasing out of your facility can also be accepted depending on space available at each school, as needs vary by school.
These donations can be tax deductible and even returned to company once school has consumed the product for recycling (ex: scrap metal).
If you are interested in making a donation, please contact: Jim Means or 973-4511.
Full list of school needs at website listed here: http://stempact2020.org/donations/
RMCTE Promotion to High School Students Printable Fact Sheet