Industrial Tech students expand industry knowledge

As the second semester gets into full swing, the students of the Industrial Technology department at Reed-Custer High School continues to learn not just though hands-on activities, but by way of industry support.

Over the past few months, the department has gained several more industry supporters, as students learn real life applications for their education.

Jakub Stachurski of Milesi Wood Coatings visited students in the first semester, giving a lecture and demonstration about state of the art industrial wood finish coatings to all of the Industrial Technology classes.

Stachurski also donated finish to be used for student projects and hats, shirts, pens, books, brochures, thumb drives, and aprons as prizes for the students.

Inter Ocean Cabinet Company donated time in the fall on their wide belt sander, to sand two 40-inch wide face frames for the RCHS production class.

Established in 1897, Inter Ocean Cabinet Company has been fulfilling the area’s architectural woodwork needs for 112 years and counting.

Inter Ocean’s skilled employees have been trained by and are members of the Carpenter’s, Millmen and Wood Finisher’s unions.

Inter Ocean is a preferred millwork subcontracting partner for many of the area’s general contractors and architects.

Doug Durbin of Exclusive Woodworking/nuHaus came to RCHS in the fall and spoke with Industrial Technology students about opportunities in the advanced woodworking industry.

Exclusive Woodworking was established in 1983 on Chicago’s North Shore by brothers John and Doug Durbin, to manufacture and install the finest architectural millwork and cabinetry.

For more than 30 years, the company has aimed to advance the American tradition of master craftsmanship in woodworking and joinery on a diverse range of projects that include residential, commercial, historic preservation and fine furniture production.

In 1988 nuHaus was founded on Chicago’s North Shore with the mission that art and function are intended not only to complement but inspire one another. nuHaus designs, manufactures and installs fine architectural millwork and cabinetry, specializing in kitchen architecture.

Also in the fall, Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI) Chicago Chapter invited Industrial Technology students to their annual Design Solutions Night held at Maggiano’s Little Italy.

The event was a great opportunity for the students to see what industry is doing today and network with leaders of the architectural woodwork industry in the Chicagoland area.

AWI’s mission is to make wood the dominant specified construction material by helping members grow through education, networking and connection with the architecture and design community.

Franklin International has again donated TiteBond 2 Adhesive to students in the industrial technology classes.

Franklin International is among the largest privately held manufacturers of adhesives and sealants in the United States.

Franklin International does more than sell adhesives, they also solve technical problems, and their solutions improve quality and enhance safety. The opened in 1935 as the Franklin Glue Company with the first of what would be a long line of adhesive solutions.

Veneer Technologies Incorporated also supported the program in during the first semester. The company is a customer-driven, high technology veneer and other wood products supplier with an aspiration to lead the industry not only in the production of the highest quality materials through efficiencies achieved with productivity and superior production, but also with an unselfish, action-not-talk commitment to the overall future of the resource, the industry, the craftsman, and companies who create function and art with wood veneer.

Founded in 2007, the mission of the Woodwork Career Alliance is to support workforce development for the woodworking industry, which includes certification and training of new and existing woodworking professionals as well as students at both the high school and post secondary levels.

Industrial Technology teacher Mark Smith noted that industry supporters make it possible to offer great educational opportunities to Reed-Custer students.

This is the second year for the Industrial Technology program at RCHS under Smith’s guidance. In classes, students continue to boost their skills and learn real world applications as part of their day-to-day education in one of the district’s fastest growing course offerings.

The students engage in several hands-on classroom activities, including making guitars, making signs for the library and the new school, and working on a custom cabinetry job for a customer in Arizona.

Students have also attended trade shows to speak with industry professionals, and completed a shelving project for the new elementary school.

Parents and community members can visit rchsit.weebly.com/program-supporters.html to see all of the program’s industry supporters