AUBURN, Ala. - The City of Auburn has partnered with Auburn High School Career Technical Education (CTE), local industry leaders, Auburn University Facilities Management and Southern Union State Community College to launch a new Precision Machining Internship Program providing high school students with hands-on experience in advanced manufacturing.

The pilot program includes seven students from the Auburn High School Precision Machining Program taught by instructor Mike Brogan. Throughout the spring semester, students attend traditional classes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, while spending Tuesdays and Thursdays gaining real-world experience with participating industry partners during their fourth block period.

"This is a great opportunity for the students at AHS. They get real world work experience through multiple companies and multiple job placements,” said Mike Brogan, Precision Machining instructor. “Students will get to see how manufacturing works from the plant floor to the HR office. Add in a stipend and a safety boot allowance and it's a complete package for a high school student. This level of awareness and exposure will benefit our manufacturing companies by getting more recognition from the community for all the amazing career opportunities available in our advanced manufacturing world."

The students rotate through three Auburn-based organizations, Rausch & Pausch (RAPA), 2AUSA, Inc., and Auburn University Facilities Management, spending two days per week at each location and rotating every three weeks. This structure allows the students to gain exposure to multiple manufacturing environments while developing technical and professional skills.

"ACS-CTE Precision Machining Program is making its footprint in the world of advanced manufacturing," said Dr. Silvia D. Scaife, director of Career and Technical Education for Auburn City Schools. "The collaborative partnership between the City of Auburn, Auburn City Schools and local businesses and industry offers Auburn High School students real-world skill training that blends the tailored needs of the industry with exposure to experiences for students while aligning with educational standards. The newly implemented Precision Machining Internship is a testament that ACS-CTE is serious about providing opportunities to our students and living out what it means for Auburn to Grow 'Our' Own."

In addition to industry internships, the students participate in specialized workforce training through community partners. Southern Union State Community College provides forklift training, giving students the opportunity to earn a forklift certification by the end of the program. Southeastern Onsite Safety delivers safety instruction throughout the semester, with students eligible to earn an OSHA 10 safety certification.

"Southern Union State Community College is proud to partner in the Auburn High School CTE Precision Machining Internship Program as part of our commitment to developing the future workforce," said Dr. Eric Sewell, Dean of Technical Education and Workforce Development for Southern Union State Community College. "By providing hands-on training in CNC Machining and Forklift Operation, Southern Union is helping Auburn High School juniors and seniors build the foundational skills needed for in-demand careers, continued technical education, and long-term success in the regional economy."

Local industry leaders say the program strengthens Auburn's manufacturing workforce pipeline by connecting students directly with professional opportunities close to home.

"The Auburn High CTE Precision Machining Internship Program exemplifies the great partnership between City of Auburn Workforce Development, Auburn City Schools and Auburn industry," said Carmen Jordan, president and CEO of Rausch & Pausch L.P. "We take pride in showcasing our industrial base to our CTE students to bring awareness to the outstanding professional opportunities available within local manufacturing. During the internship, the students shadowed a variety of roles within our company and performed hands-on learning of design, manufacturing and quality-related processes. This effort helps foster the growing and needed pipeline of young professionals entering technical, industrial-based roles."

Overall, the program provides the students with meaningful, hands-on experience while allowing Auburn's industries to invest in the next generation of skilled workers. The combination of on-the-job learning and industry-recognized certifications gives students a strong foundation for future employment, technical education and career success after graduation.