A.R.E. Manufacturing has always believed in investing in the future, whether it’s purchasing advanced equipment to drive long-term customer success or facilitating proactive training to avoid hiring gaps.
One of the most effective and impactful ways we’ve invested in the future of manufacturing is through our community involvement, particularly our participation in the Tiger Manufacturing program at Newberg High School. By focusing on the education and professional development of our local youth, we’re building the next generation of skilled machinists.
In this blog, we’ll walk through how Tiger Manufacturing came about and how it’s impacting the students, community, and workforce.
How Our Hiring Practices Sparked an Idea
The A.R.E. Manufacturing team made a pivotal move around 15 years ago: instead of hiring experienced machinists, we chose to develop entry-level talent through thorough, strategic training programs. This was easily one of our best decisions since opening our doors in 1980.
It also caused us to notice something about the entry-level machining market: most people considering careers in our field were in their late twenties or thirties. Why weren’t younger individuals entering the field directly out of high school? It became clear that many high schoolers didn’t know that machining was a viable career choice – or even an option at all.
That’s why, instead of waiting for the youth to come to us, we decided to engage with them proactively.
The Birth of Tiger Manufacturing
Our journey began when we recognized an opportunity at Newberg High School, which had a machining program and shop space on the school grounds. With the collaboration of Newberg’s machining educator and the support of the school administration, we transformed this space into a functional machine shop.
Inspired by a for-profit high school machine shop we heard about in Wisconsin, we envisioned a similar setup at Newberg High School. Thus, Tiger Manufacturing was born, blending classroom learning with real-world business and machining experiences. In our first year, while we were still working through growing pains, we achieved $9,000 in sales and a $4,000 profit, allowing us to pay students minimum wage during school hours; this model has proven sustainable moving forward.
Building Skills and Opportunities
Now in its eighth year, Tiger Manufacturing has grown exponentially. From a humble beginning with one lathe donated by A.R.E., the shop now boasts three CNC lathes, two CNC mills, a saw, and additional manual equipment.
In the 2024-2025 school year, the program includes 16 students carefully selected by the student CEO and shop teacher from a pool of over 40 applicants. Through this experience, our student CEO gained HR and business management experience and leadership skills that will help them successfully run Tiger Manufacturing this year.
However, the student CEO isn’t the only one driving the success of this program. All Tiger Manufacturing students are deeply involved in all aspects of the operation. They handle the technical side, such as programming CNC machines, creating 3D models using CAD software, and performing measurements and blueprints. They also engage in business tasks such as managing invoices and purchase orders and coordinating presentations for workforce groups. All the while, the students are gaining experience with ProShop’s ERP system, donated to the program, to mirror industry standards.
Creating Real-World Success
Over the years, Tiger Manufacturing has faced its fair share of challenges, from disruptions during COVID to machine downtime and building reorganizations and renovations. Despite any hurdles, the program has flourished, achieving $70,000 in sales last school year, paying out $42,000 in wages, and generating a $20,000 profit. In addition, A.R.E. has hired eight machinists from the program and provided numerous manufacturing internships to students.
The goal for the 2024-2025 school year is ambitious: reaching $100,000 in sales while continuing to expand.
Why Tiger Manufacturing Matters
Our involvement with Tiger Manufacturing goes beyond filling our own talent pipeline. It’s about giving young people opportunities they might not otherwise discover until later in life. This program allows students to gain valuable skills, work experience, and insight into the manufacturing industry, setting them up for success in whichever path they choose.
A.R.E.’s Alvin Elbert, a passionate advocate for youth engagement, has been instrumental in this initiative. He understands the potential of young people, especially today’s tech-savvy and resourceful generation. By investing time and resources into Tiger Manufacturing, Alvin and A.R.E. are helping to shape the future of manufacturing, one student at a time.
As we continue to grow this program, we remain committed to the idea that creating opportunities for youth is not just beneficial for them and us, but also for the industry and community at large. We are excited about the possibilities ahead and look forward to developing even more young talent in the years to come.
If you’d like to learn more about this program and our youth outreach initiatives, don’t hesitate to contact us. Or, if you’d like to partner with A.R.E., request a quote today!