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Manufacturing/Plastics

There is a growing need for highly skilled employees in the manufacturing industries in Wisconsin.  Some manufacturing/plastics jobs are expected to grow as much as 10 percent between now and 2014 in Wisconsin.

Work-Based Requirements

Industry mentors are trained to teach youth apprentices the skills and knowledge needed to find entry level employment in the manufacturing/plastics industry.

Youth apprentices rotate through up to four major areas at the worksite (see Skills Standards Checklist) and take related classroom instruction at the local high school, technical college or at the worksite.

The Manufacturing/Plastics program has two options available. The one-year option includes two semesters of classroom instruction which support a minimum of 450 work hours. The two-year option includes four semesters of classroom instruction, which support 900 work hours.

Related Instruction Requirements

Manufacturing/Plastics academic instruction focuses on:

• Introduction to Manufacturing
  Explore manufacturing environments and occupations. Read, visualize, and interpret industrial blueprints. Develop core ability skills and a knowledge base of the plastics industry. Safe work habits and practices are explored as well as application of tools and equipment needed in the plastics manufacturing industry.
• Plastic Manufacturing Materials and Processes
  Explore plastics manufacturing processes, characteristics, advantages and limitations. Testing, recycling, molding, forming, coating, casting, laminating, and secondary processes are emphasized. Nomenclature, characteristics, advantages, and limitations of each process is emphasized.
• Plastic Technology
  Explore theoretical and applied science, technical physics and basic chemistry related to plastics. Develops knowledge base of plastics manufacturing and related industry functions. Explores technical physics and basic chemistry related to plastics as well as in-depth knowledge of areas of plastics manufacturing and broad knowledge of the plastics industry.
• Organizational Systems and Quality Processes
  Explores and assess the functions of administrative and support departments in plastics manufacturing organizations. Evaluate the safety regulations and quality initiatives and their impacts within the manufacturing environment. Build skills in teamwork development, the use of total quality management tools, problem solving and employability.

Skill Certificate and Advanced Standing

After successful completion of the requirements for a high school diploma and the school-based and work-based requirements for Youth Apprenticeship, the students receive a Certificate of Occupational Proficiency from the Department of Workforce Development. Students who complete the two-year Manufacturing/Plastics Youth Apprenticeship may receive advanced standing credits from a Wisconsin Technical College offering related associate degree programs.

Downloadable Documents:

Skills Standards Checklist
Order Form from Dept. of Administration Document Sales Unit