Hands-On Learning: Valley High Students Explore Essential Trade Tools

In a unique collaboration between education and industry, Valley High School students in the HVAC and Electrical pathways recently had an exciting opportunity to explore the tools of their future trade. On September 25, 2024, from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm, the Milwaukee Tool Trailer, provided by Eckart Supply, rolled onto the Valley High School campus, bringing with it a treasure trove of professional-grade tools for students to see and handle.

Engaging Learning Experience

The event was a resounding success, with students showing immense enthusiasm as they engaged with tools they had previously only learned about in textbooks. Many students graduate from their pathway and enter the workforce without a true understanding of the tools they learned about in class, making this hands-on experience invaluable. Being able to see and touch the tools helped bring classroom lessons into perspective and provided students with a better understanding of how these tools will be used in their future careers. One teacher even looked forward to quizzing his students on what tools they saw and if they could name any of them, turning the experience into an engaging learning opportunity.

Industry Support and Alumni Involvement

This innovative event was made possible through the efforts of Steve Ford, a Valley High School alumnus now with RIC Electric, LLC. As a current business partner with Valley High School, Ford collaborated with Eckart Supply to bring this demonstration to the school. This marks the first time both companies have provided this type of demonstration to high school students. Ford's motivation stems from his observation that electrical graduates often have limited knowledge of everyday tools used in the field. He aims to change this trend and hopes to encourage other schools with similar pathways to implement on-site demonstrations as additional learning tools for their students.

Inspiring Future Professionals

Valley's HVAC teacher John Spiva and electrical teacher Greg Elser have proven themselves to be true champions of exposing their students to real-world work experiences. This event serves as an excellent example of how business partners can come together to create learning opportunities that could ultimately be a new pipeline of talent for their businesses in the near future.

As we continue to bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry needs, events like the Tool Trailer visit at Valley High School shine as beacons of innovative education. By bringing the tools of the trade directly to students, we're not just teaching – we're inspiring the next generation of skilled professionals and building a stronger workforce for tomorrow.