Many jobs are very skilled, high-tech jobs that require a background in math, science and other disciplines. Manufacturing jobs pay very good wages. They have higher income level jobs than many others. The ones who have taken the time to look at it know and can see instantly how they'll gain from it. The challenge lies in opening up lines of communication, Whitlow says.
Education talks one language, industry talks another.
My job is to bring the two together. And, he adds, teaming up the two can result in nothing but good. It benefits our industry, our young people and our schools. It is a win-win situation for everybody. Whitlow's program has arranged a paid summer internship program in which 16 students will spend part or most of their summer vacation in some aspect of manufacturing.