Rexroth has a history of collaboration with schools in support of STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) education. Rexroth has also been affected by the challenges most U.S. manufacturing companies have faced in hiring qualified workers.
Now, in a major collaboration with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system and other industry leaders, Rexroth has built a new center for STEM education in Southwest Charlotte.
The new $200,000 Bosch Rexroth Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Center is located in the Olympic Community of Schools. The Olympic Fund, Bosch Rexroth, the Bosch Community Fund, and other manufacturing companies in the region joined forces to create a manufacturing hub for students, who will have the opportunity to learn metal-cutting and finishing technology, using a number of lathes, milling machines, saws, and grinders, plus metrology and quality-control stations.
Allowing high school students to see the value of manufacturing — and how cool it can be as a work opportunity — should encourage students to take the math and science courses they’ll need to have the background for tech and industrial college majors. Others may gain the hands-on skills they need to take well-paying jobs directly from high school.
Industry, educators, and government can work together to bring America back to its former position as a nation of makers.