Glenbard South says technology has changed manufacturing

Glenbard South High School industrial technology teacher Jim Snyder has been teaching for 32 years, including the last 25 in Glenbard High School District 87.

Q. A shortage of skilled workers for manufacturing jobs often makes headlines. How do you address that issue and the contributing factors as an educator for high school students?

A. There is a growing shortage of skilled workers in the United States. We hear this all the time from representatives at the companies we visit, and we hear it from major companies at conferences we attend.

There are a number of factors that are contributing to this shortage. As a society, people often look down on these types of jobs. This view that society seems to have of a dirty workplace with black smoke hanging in the air needs to change.

What you now see walking through a factory is a very clean environment with a machinist working at computer programing equipment; engineers working on CAD programs and using 3-D prototype machines; and people in sales selling their company's products - all earning a good salary.

Q. What are some of the ways you help students gain real-world experience?

A. I feel all of our students need some type of technology education. For instance, a surgeon needs to be skilled with drills, saws and chisels.

For some students, a technology class may be the first class that interests them. It might be the class that makes it enjoyable for them to come to school every day. Many students find they are very good doing the work in technology classes, where students learn more than just the content of the class. Students gain hands-on experience, develop problem-solving skills, learn to work with others, and learn what it takes to meet deadlines.

Technology classes are for all students. Since schools are filled with the workforce of the future, technology should be taught in the classroom.