On Friday, Nov. 5, the village of Elk Grove presented a $100,000 grant to officials from District 214 and Elk Grove High School. This is the third of five annual $100,000 grants to the District 214 Education Foundation to assist in the modernization and expansion of the EGHS Fabrication Lab. The lab is the focal point of an initiative to introduce students to rewarding and challenging career opportunities within the manufacturing sector.
The grants provided to the school in 2019 and 2020 jump-started efforts to modernize the EGHS advanced manufacturing lab. Modernization efforts included the purchase of high-tech manufacturing equipment, such as lathes and mills, which students use to learn how to work with metal, wood, and other materials.
This year’s grant will increase opportunities for students to develop skills in fabrication and sheet metal work. The funding will go toward the purchase of new welding equipment, metal formers, sheers, a press brake, and roll benders.
In addition to giving students opportunities to become proficient in the use of modern manufacturing equipment, the grant supports the school’s Manufacturing Career Pathway. The pathway is a broader effort to teach students how to plan, manage, and process materials into intermediate or final products through production planning and control, maintenance and manufacturing/process engineering.
The pathway also offers a variety of certification opportunities, internships with Elk Grove Village manufacturers, and advanced courses where students can earn college credits.
Village officials say the grant demonstrates the village’s commitment to partnering with Elk Grove High School to strengthen the local workforce through technical and vocational education.