OrthoWorx Launches RealME; Receives Grant For DiscoverME
Posted
Staff Report-
The 2019 OrthoWorx Summer Intern Team launched a new talent development initiative, RealME, on Aug. 1 to an audience of community leaders, industry partners and state education officials.
RealME (Real Manufacturing Experiences) focuses on careers and educational pathways to local manufacturing opportunities and is a follow-up initiative to DiscoverME that the 2018 Summer Intern Team created for eighth-grade students. RealME will take place on National Manufacturing Day Oct. 4 at Grace College’s Gordon Recreation Center and will engage all sophomore students in Tippecanoe Valley, Warsaw, Wawasee and Whitko school corporations.
RealME is an extension of the 2018 initiative DiscoverME, a week-long program that serves as an introduction to advanced manufacturing and the diverse career opportunities available related to machining. DiscoverME was “an incredible success in 2018 with 68% of students acknowledging an increased awareness about local manufacturing in Kosciusko County,” according to a news release from OrthoWorx.
Kendra Perkins, 2019 Lead Team intern, said, “Our intern team was focused on making improvements to DiscoverME, based on teacher and student feedback, while also creating a new program, RealME. We had an incredible experience listening to so many community partners and industry members on their workforce needs. We considered these concerns, but really focused on what would be exciting for the students.”
She also said, “We met with several local students, and even considered our own experiences with field trips. We want students to be more aware of career and educational opportunities, even through their own career centers, while also learning about the process and realities of manufacturing through a fun activity.”
The ME programs are geared toward educating students about the manufacturing industry in Kosciusko County.
“Our ME programs demonstrate an incredible collaboration between the schools, industry partners and various community stakeholders like OrthoWorx,” said Nichole Rouached, manager, communications and projects. Ensuring the ME program aligns with student needs, OrthoWorx has been working with The Dekko Foundation to strengthen the programs and learn from other community initiatives.
“OrthoWorx is committed to creating fun and engaging manufacturing programs for students and even educators that participate in the ME programs,” Rouached said. “Sponsorships and grants from organizations like The Dekko Foundation allow us to create exciting opportunities for students to understand career options and educational pathways that may not require loans after they leave high school or college.”
Parents and employers can learn more about the ME programs, DiscoverME and RealME, by contacting Nichole Rouached via email at OrthoWorx at nichole.rouached@orthoworxindiana.com.
OrthoWorx is a non-profit initiative formed in 2009. It received its initial funding from Lily Endowment Inc. to fill a critical void in the industry as a connection for industry members, education and the community, leveraging resources to drive positive change. It is OrthoWorx’s mission to ensure that the industry and the communities that depend on its success thrive with social and economic benefits for generations to come.
