ROCKFORD-(WIFR)

Learning the skills of the trade goes far beyond pushing a few buttons for Caleb Larsen.

"If ones looking for a career in manufacturing this is a good opportunity."

From the factory floor to the classroom.. Larsen is one of over a dozen local students taking a hands-on approach to their future several years ahead of landing their first jobs.

" We have to refill the pipeline and we have to do it with a skilled labor force."

The week-long manufacturing camp is designed to give kids an introduction to the realities of modern manufacturing and hopefully inspire them to complete the education they will need to capture one of those jobs.

" Education is most important part as we talk about the math skills .. learning geometry and trigonometry."

Many companies are in a race for talent right now as training, and retaining workers to fill skilled jobs is much more of a problem.

"There's probably 100 jobs open right now for CNC machinists and technology is evolving so fast its paramount they have the CNC training."

Larsen and others know they have no choice but to learn these new skills as factories become more advanced and the need for manual machines becomes obsolete.

"There are machine tool builders right now that are from a traditional machine to a manual machine today they are talking about a 9 axle machine which has all kinds of moving parts and the technology is absolutely phenomenal."

Morgan hopes the students who come to the camp will one day be instrumental in keeping manufacturing churning in the Rockford area."