Enstrom President Promotes Education Opportunities, Community Involvement
On October 5, Enstrom Helicopter Corporation President Todd Tetzlaff attended the 2023 Connections: K12 Education, Business, Industry & Higher Education event held at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College’s (NWTC) Marinette campus. Representatives from the University of Wisconsin, Green Bay (UWGB) and the Northeast Wisconsin Manufacturing Association (NEWMA) also participated. This event functioned as a connection point for educators to network with industry professionals and streamline career pathways for students.
“Many Enstrom employees grew up in the area, having attended school in Menominee, Stephenson, Marinette, or Peshtigo school districts. Even surrounding areas throughout the Upper Peninsula and down to Green Bay are represented,” said Tetzlaff. “It is crucial we continue to bolster these career pipelines and encourage more students to stay and invest their talents in this area. We are interested in helping students develop not only base-level skills, but also a passion for the craft that could define their career. That’s only possible when industry professionals and educators work together.”
Enstrom offered educators a guided tour of its Menominee manufacturing facility, offering principals, teachers, and a professor an inside look at exactly what a career at Enstrom entails. These educators were then able to take that knowledge back to their respective schools and apply it to how the school approaches teaching manufacturing skills like welding and CNC as well as engineering and business management skills.
Later in the afternoon, Todd joined with a larger group of educators and industry leaders to discuss the state of the local workforce and the skills job seekers need to be employable. The panel also discussed youth apprenticeship programs and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act as means of helping students finance their education.
“I am proud of Enstrom’s involvement in our community and grateful for the support this community has shown us in return,” said Tetzlaff. “There was a great turnout at this event, and we felt a lot of buzz and excitement about Enstrom being back in business. We are planning to attend many more educational events in the future to build on this momentum.”
“As higher educators, we hope to organize something like this once a semester,” said NWTC Marinette Dean Cindy Bailey. “I know I learned something new. The students in our region need to understand there are so many incredible opportunities right here in their backyard!”
About Enstrom Helicopter
From Rudy Enstrom’s early designs in 1943 to initial testing in a Michigan Quarry in 1957 to aircraft operating on six continents, Enstrom Helicopter Corporation has maintained a reputation for safety, value and performance. Based in Menominee, Michigan and proudly made in the United States, Enstrom has a rich history for design innovation. The goal is to provide helicopters to the customer’s exact specification and deliver support and maintenance worldwide.