CTE helps Lincoln High students land good jobs after graduation

Mike Owen, a Lincoln High School graduate, takes a break from his job at Eifel Mold and Engineering. (Submitted photo)
Mike Owen, a Lincoln High School graduate, takes a break from his job at Eifel Mold and Engineering. (Submitted photo)
Eifel employee Steve Kish, from left, with students Kyle Commons and Logan Brown. (Submitted photo)
Eifel employee Steve Kish, from left, with students Kyle Commons and Logan Brown. (Submitted photo)

Rick Hecker, president and CEO of Eifel Mold & Engineering in Fraser, knows how important it is to stay ahead of the game.

Since 2010, his company, which produces tools and molds for the automotive, medical and consumer goods industries, has spent more than $1 million in technology and equipment to remain competitive in an ultra-competitive field.

But staying competitive isn’t just about buying pretty new toys, it’s about infusing the company with energetic young talent. That’s where Hecker and Eifel’s connection with CTE (career and technical education) and the local high schools has already borne fruit. Hecker and Eifel are part of the job shadowing program with the Southwest Macomb Technical Education Consortium, now celebrating its 35th year of providing CTE programs to high school students in Center Line, Fitzgerald, Lincoln and Warren Woods high schools.

Hecker has only been involved in the job shadowing program for two years, but he’s already plucked two full-time employees from the CTE program, and he couldn’t be happier.

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“It’s tough to find good, young talent,” Hecker said. “You want young people who have energy and want to learn. These two guys have a good attitude and they work hard; that’s half the battle right there.”

The two guys are Mike Owen and Steve Kish, both recent graduates of Lincoln High School in Warren and the CTE program. Both are now manufacturing specialists and mold makers.

Owen, who graduated from Lincoln in 2014, took part in the first job-shadowing program and was recommended by Lincoln CTE teachers to Hecker as someone to consider for a job.

“I remember Mike’s teacher, Mr. (Mike) Sisco (Lincoln High School’s manufacturing teacher) said we have a young man, good young man, who catches on fast. This kid is sharp, he just catches on. He observes, and he wants to learn and fix problems. Steve is the same way,” Hecker said.

During his time at Lincoln, Owen completed courses in manufacturing technology and computer-aided design (CAD). Owen, now 19, is leading job shadowing of his own, for high school students who may be interested in the same career path.

Where once Owen had an interest in becoming an auto service technician due to his love of cars, he now envisions a career in mold making and tooling. He is taking college classes at Macomb Community College, aiming for an associate degree in mold making. Eifel pays for his college classes, as long as he maintains a B average.

“I came here, and they brought me in with open arms,” Owen said. “They saw I had potential. Now, I actually like this better than working on cars. This shop has a great group of people that like teaching.

“I’m very grateful to have such a generous boss, to hire someone who didn’t know a lick about this trade,” Owens said. “He’s a great guy. He likes to bring young people through here and show them opportunities. If not for CTE, I wouldn’t be here.”

Both Owen and Kish run CNC (computer numerical control) machines. They program cutter paths, and the machines do the cutting. They operate both five-axis and three-axis machines. They build the tools to make parts for plastic injection interior trim for automobiles, for air bags and for steering wheels, among other things.

Hecker said the CTE program does a great job of not only preparing students for careers in skilled trades but also exposes them to what the job is really like.

“I’ve had the children of friends or friends of friends who think they may have interest in this business come in and say it’s not for me,” he said “We’re trying to expose kids to shop environment and what we do. It’s a clean environment, employees are working with computers. They can earn $25-$35 per hour as a CAD designer and $75,000-$100,000 per year with overtime. These kids start at the bottom at $12 per hour, and in 4-5 years they can move their way up. Mike has moved up very quickly.”

Owen said he’s now earning almost double his starting salary and used some of his earnings to buy his first brand-new truck: a 2016 Dodge Ram.

“I’d almost prefer you didn’t use his last name, because I don’t want my competitors to steal him away,” Hecker joked.

“The CTE program teaches the students how to machine something, lathe and drill,” he added. “It gives them a foundation to build on. The program does a good job of that and making them marketable.”

Kish, 20, was working in a restaurant chain when Owen recommended him to Hecker as someone to consider for a job. He’s now been on the job at Eifel for about 16 months.

Kish’s interest was in computer science. He’s used math and manufacturing technology class from CTE and had learned how to read a micrometer and done a little machining before taking the job.

It’s incorporating stuff from manufacturing technology and graphic design. I really enjoy it. I see it being a career.”

Kish also considers himself lucky to have such a great job at such a young age.

“It’s pretty hard to get in to a place like this right now,” he said. “I do feel pretty fortunate. These jobs are in demand. To get in here not knowing anything, other than what I learned from high school, is pretty cool.”

About the Author

Don Gardner

Don Gardner writes a blog about SCUBA diving http://donsdiverdown.blogspot.com/ Reach the author at don.gardner@macombdaily.com .