St. Patrick High School engineering program builds futures for Chicago students
St. Patrick High School engineering program builds futures for Chicago students
Saint Patrick High School's Engineering and Fabrication program offers students hands-on training in skills like 3D printing, CNC machining, and laser cutting, preparing them for careers in engineering, manufacturing, and trades.
CHICAGO - High school students who want to build a future, may have some options they never thought of before. Recent data shows electricians, mechanics and engineers are some of the hardest jobs to fill in the country. Saint Patrick High School has a new Engineering and Fabrication program that is helping fill that need.
"Ever since 4th grade, I’ve been wanting to be an engineer," said St. Patrick student Aaron Serrano. "My dad is an engineer, so that probably inspired me. I have a sign from 4th grade I’m holding up that says engineer on the front."
Serrano is a junior at St. Patrick High School where there Engineering and Fabrication Program is the first of its kind in the Chicagoland area.
"When I'm actually working with my hands and really seeing the practicality of what I'm doing, that's where I learn best," Serrano said.
Students in the program get hands-on exposure to 3D printing, CNC machining, laser cutting and all the courses taught by industry-experienced teachers.
"We're introducing boys to various fabrication processes, shearing metal, forming," said Magdalena Kruszynska-Piper, who, prior to teaching, worked in the industry in Poland.
The program at St. Patrick is designed for students who prefer a different alternative to learning by reading or studying for a paper test.
"There’s lot of hands-eye coordination," Kruszynska-Piper said. "This helps them to use their hands to process visually and that's how it registers. Many of the boys learn best by doing."
In addition to working hands-on with the same equipment found in top manufacturing facilities, students have dual options once they graduate. Through the program, they earn credits towards their college degree. They also receive certifications that make them more attractive to trade unions if they want to go straight into the workforce.
"Through this class we've gone on many field trips and through those field trips we've connected with other businesses and associations which helped us connect with jobs," said St. Patrick student William Smrechak. "They showed us the process of how working for a metal company would be, which interested some of us."
Whether it’s straight to work or college, students with these skills are in demand. The current skilled labor force tends to skew older and 41% of that workforce is expected to retire by 2031.