6 minute read
Creating a Pathway to Careers
Four Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) graduates from the Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machinist Technician diploma program work at Morrison Bros. Co. in Dubuque. All four students connected with Morrison Bros. Co. through internships as part of the program and were employed full-time with the company upon graduation.
Morrison Bros. Co. designs, engineers and manufactures integrated fuel storage components for the energy industry. From design to finished product, the company handles all aspects of the process, complete with in-house CNC machining and finishing capabilities. Graduates Abbie Hefel and Mason Henning work in machine setup while Matt Meyer and Zach Laird are employed as tool makers. In these positions, they set up and operate CNC machines and equipment and produce quality parts utilizing skills they learned in the NICC program and handson at the company.
Morrison Bros. Co. offers internships to the College’s CNC students during the program's last semester to gain hands-on workplace experience. The company gets to know the students and their capabilities, with the intent to hire them full-time once they finish their education.
In addition to the diploma option, NICC offers short-term Career Pathway Certificate (CPC) programs, including the CNC Operator certificate, to address acute shortages of middle-skilled employees. The certificate program can lead directly to employment or can be a first step for students to continue their education in the diploma program. Morrison Bros. Co. recently signed an agreement as an official NICC partner to support students in both the diploma and CPC programs.
Rick Zillig, Morrison Bros. Co. Director of Manufacturing, stated, “Morrison Bros. Co. elected to partner with NICC because it gives us visibility to the students. It allows them to see what types of careers are available at Morrison Bros. Co., and it also allows us to get in front of the students and be active in the education programs that are offered.”
Meet the Graduates …
Abbie Hefel is one of seven females among 29 employees working on the shop floor at Morrison Bros. Co. Like many students, she had no idea what she wanted to do after high school. She was drawn to both the CNC program and Morrison Bros. Co. through Mason Henning, another NICC graduate working at the company.
Abbie advises other females to enroll in the CNC program, stating “Don’t be intimidated to try something new. Although trades careers, like CNC, are male-dominated, there is no reason for that—it doesn’t have to be that way anymore!”
Abbie likes how the diploma program can be done in a year or less. However, she noted, “I don’t think people know it's an option to do it without the gen eds and just get a certificate. I didn’t even know it was a thing until I was in the program and there were CPC students who came in at night.”
Matt Meyer previously spent 14 years working as a carpenter, building houses, until he was laid off for over a year. At the time, he felt he had few prospects and didn’t want to continue on his current path, so he took a friend’s advice and enrolled in the CNC Machinist program at NICC.
When asked about his goals in taking the CNC program, Matt replied, "Finding employment was my goal. A college credit degree or diploma was a nice bonus – but having all the credentials necessary to say that yes, I know how to do something, was the most important part."
The Career Pathway Certificate program can help students gain skills and find employment in even less time. CPC programs can be completed in just a few weeks or months and are designed to provide critical job and technical skills through hands-on training.
A CPC can be earned at little to no cost to the student and provides a direct path to fast-growing entry-level jobs and increased wages.
NICC tailors its training to the needs of the businesses through input from the companies. Through this partnership, businesses can collaborate with NICC, offering industry-specific insights and feedback to ensure programs are aligned with current workforce needs and expectations.
Mason Henning and Zach Laird were both drawn to the CNC program after finding interest and enjoyment in hands-on activities and high school shop classes. Zach chose NICC because it was close to home and he had heard good things about the College. Mason selected CNC machining because his uncle was employed in the field and encouraged him to pursue it. Additionally, his aunt, who is employed at Morrison Bros. Co., informed him about an internship opportunity and helped him make essential connections. He later connected Abbie Hefel to the program and Morrison Bros. Co. as well.
Businesses that partner with NICC and provide input into programs and curriculum are marketed on the College’s website so that students can visually connect to an employer of their choice prior to starting the program.
“Going forward, students will be able to identify us as a local manufacturer. If they want to stay in and around the area, I think it gives them more potential for a career here in Dubuque,” explained Sam Glab, Learning and Development Manager at Morrison Bros. Co.
According to Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) labor market statistics, manufacturing was ranked second among Iowa’s top five largest industry sectors in 2024. IWD occupational employment and wage statistics show that the mean annual wage for machinists and tool and die makers was $54,325 as of May 2023. Job openings continue to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations and those who retire or otherwise exit the labor force.
Rick Zillig explained, “In the last few years, it has been a challenge for everyone to find employees in general but especially in manufacturing. It has gotten a little better recently, but it is still challenging to find people coming into the workforce with skills and experience, particularly in the CNC field.”
By partnering with NICC, Morrison Bros. Co. hopes to overcome these challenges by connecting with students who come out of the program with exposure and interest in the field and the skills needed for the job.
Through these partnerships, the College and supporting businesses work together to build a skilled workforce that benefits both the students and the employers.
Currently, eight businesses, including Morrison Bros. Co., have agreed to partner with NICC to support the CNC diploma and CPC programs. NICC is also establishing similar agreements with companies in other program areas.
Employer Partners of the CNC Program
+ A.Y. McDonald
+ CRS Precision Fabrication
+ Decker Precision Machining, Inc.
+ Dubuque Screw Products
+ Dyersville Die Cast
+ East Iowa Machine Company
+ Morrison Bros. Co.
+ Webber Metal Products
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