Machinewell, Inc. helps local youth see the value in a career and technical education

For the last five years, representatives from Machinewell have built a great relationship with area schools in most of Minnesota’s northwest region. Bryan Dougherty (Engineer), Eric Dougherty (Head of Research & Development) and Tonia Haack (Office Manager) use the outreach program to promote Machinewell and explain to students what the company offers, what type of machining they do and all of the departments that work together to make the business as successful as it is.

For some time now, the company has also hosted open house school visits to give 7-12 graders a much more in depth look at the industry, along with showing them the available opportunity in their community. 

That opportunity includes a School-to-work program, along with future employment. 

To students interested in gaining the appropriate degree, Machinewell offers a program that will pay for half of the first year’s tuition and all of the 2nd year, which equals 3 semesters at approximately $3500/semester. In return, the student must maintain a 3.0 GPA during their two years of technical school and also sign on for two years of employment with Machinewell afterwards. Right now the degree being offered is one in Machine Tool Technology.

The closest colleges offering these programs include Alexandria Technical & Community College and Central Lakes College in Staples. Over the past few years, Machinewell reps have visited both colleges in hopes of soliciting future employment with college students within the machining programs. Bryan Dougherty, who is involved in the recruitment process, says the School-to-work program has been offered since 1998. “This opportunity means immediate employment following someone’s education,” he noted. Students are encouraged to apply to Machinewell even before they start their technical training to learn the skills, apply them at school and get familiar with how they will be used in the workforce.

As mentioned, eight area youth are currently employed at Machinewell. They include Josh Johnson (Grygla Sophomore), Mya Anderson (Grygla Sophomore), Jamie Dougherty (Grygla Sophomore), Layla Jelle (Grygla Junior), Anthony Loken (Grygla Senior), Ethan Englund (Grygla Senior), Jake Ahlbeck (Grygla Senior) and Owen Gross (2018 Roseau Graduate). Owen has signed on to do Machinewell’s School-to-work program this fall at Alexandria Tech. He was interested in the field and inquired with Machinewell about the opportunity. With Owen already working at the company this summer before he starts college, Dougherty says he is already a step ahead by getting hands-on experience with the machines he’ll learn more about come fall. After his first year, he’ll be coming back to Machinewell to work next summer and be able to put his education to more use. 

Jake Ahlbeck is also planning to sign on with Machinewell’s School-to-work program.

After completing the program and obtaining a degree in machining, all wages are dependent on value to the company and skills brought in, however, wages are competitive with other companies in the same field. Employees are also offered full benefits, including a 401K plan. 

Current employees at Machinewell that have completed this program over the years include Kevin Nelson, Robert Sundberg and Chris Kiesow.

Tonia Haack pointed out, “A lot more kids than we realize have intentions of staying around the area if they can find something they enjoy doing. The added benefit of having majority of their college paid for appeals to students as well as parents.”

For graduating seniors enrolled in the program, any scholarship or extra dollars they are awarded isn’t required to go towards the college tuition Machinewell covers; they can use those scholarships however they see fit. The company also awards a $1,000 scholarship every year split between youth working for the company or kids of any parents within the company. “We like to keep those dollars within the Machinewell family,” Haack stated. “Last year, we only had one that fit the criteria; she was awarded the entire $1,000.” To which Dougherty followed up with, “You are a name here, not a number. Machinewell is definitely a family, and if you like living in a small community, this is the perfect environment.”

Machinewell is a successful supplier to many customers. Their top five include Polaris, Life Fitness, a playground equipment-based company called Landscape Structures, EPI Performance and a restaurant technologies company that specializes in oil recovery systems for fast-food places. 

A couple of months ago an interesting article was circling around the internet. A school in Henrico, VA, received nation-wide attention after they held the school’s first-ever “Career and Technical Letter-of-Intent Signing Day” in order to recognize students entering the workforce. They had stated that it’s such a common sight for high school athletes to gather in a gym to sign letters-of-intents to play for NCAA athletic programs, as their families attend, classmates cheer and members of the media look on. Henrico Schools’ Career and Technical Education program decided that athletes weren’t the only ones who deserved to have their hard work recognized as they look to the future. Thus the idea of holding their first ever “Career and Technical Letter-of-Intent Signing Day.” Students and representatives of their future employers both signed letters-of-intent outlining what students must do before and during employment, what the employer will provide in pay and training, and an estimate of the position’s value. Similar to National Signing Day for athletes, families and members of the media watched students sign letters-of-intent for employment. The students put on hats and other forms of promotional clothing representing the companies and their public school. The article explained that the event was a celebration of students entering the workforce or post-secondary training with a plan; with an eye on becoming successful and financially secure much earlier in life.

Machinewell, Inc. is not opposed to hosting a similar signing day as they look towards the future. They already have one student signed on, another planning to do the same, and two prospects from nearby towns considering the opportunity. Haack concluded, “We want to help our local youth see the value in a career and technical education. A signing day could definitely happen in the future.” 

…And that future looks pretty promising to interested students. It’s not every day a graduating senior is offered over $10,000 in tuition coverage, guaranteed employment, full benefits, paid vacation, 401K and a great salary…all of which can be found right here in Grygla.