Instead of basking in the sun during part of their summer vacation, some area educators donned safety glasses and toured local businesses as part of a new program, "Education and Business: A Partnership."

For one week in June, the "class" made up of teachers, administration and other school staff, visited Parker Hannifan, McElroy Metal, Mauston Tool Corporation, Western Technical College in Mauston, Wisconsin River Meats and Mile Bluff Medical Center in Mauston. They also toured Leer Manufacturing and Walker Stainless, New Lisbon. "We need to expose (students) to all of the possibilities out there," said Steven Smolek, Superintendent of Mauston Schools and one of the class participants.

"The world has changed and we need to maximize their options."

George Kleinhans, operating manager of McElroy Metals, agreed. During a tour of his facility, he told the group of educators that they are always looking for good people.

He said, "We can teach them how to manufacture, we're pretty confident in that. But, they need to be on time and ready to go."

He said some of the skills needed to work at McElroy include the ability to use basic math, to work as a team and to be on time. "You would be surprised (to see) the kids that come in here that can't read a ruler," Kleinhans said.

However, he said, McElroy, which is in its sixth year at the Industrial Park, is "starting to build a foundation of some really good people."

Craig Rattunde, a Mauston High School teacher on the tour, asked Kleinhans if having the ability to do different jobs was another plus for an employee. "Cross training is very important," Kleinhans said.

Barb Martin, executive director for the Greater Mauston Area Development Corporation, who helped organize the event, said they are "trying to have a more pro-active approach to building a workforce earlier."

Bill Gronley, the main instructor for the program, from the University of St. Thomas, Minneapolis, Minn., shared some of the goals and objectives of the class. They include:

• Develop a commitment to building a common working relationship between schools and the business community

• Create an understanding of the importance of education to the success of business

• Promote good public relations between schools, business and industry

• Develop a better understanding of local industry and the product they produce

• Create an understanding of the various types of partnerships

• Develop a working plan to implement a school business partnership

• Understand the importance of team building and problem solving skills

• Develop a greater understanding and commitment to the importance of aligning our work as educators with business to promote a stronger transition from school to careers

• Increase the knowledge and awareness level of participants relative to building partnerships

• Develop a list of business contacts available to the classroom

During an informal brainstorming session, some educators suggested a manufacturing career fair be set up at Mauston High School for those interested in going to work instead of college directly after high school.

Others said school-to-work opportunities at local manufacturing facilities could also help to build a local workforce.

Smolek said success in life does not always come easily for those who made good grades. "The two biggest factors to success are good attendance and participation in extracurricular activities," he said. "Those are the types of people that end up being the most successful."