Plymouth Tube’s Chicago Processing Awarded Gold Level Partner Plaque for Community Involvement
Chicago, IL – The Austin Polytechnical Academy (APA) recently presented Plymouth Tube Company’s Chicago Processing plant with a Gold Level Partner Plaque in recognition of their valuable community support and partnership.
Founded by the Chicago Manufacturing Renaissance Council in 2007 in conjunction with the City of Chicago, the Austin Polytechnical Academy (APA) is a Chicago Public high school committed to educating the next generation of leaders in manufacturing and engineering. Located in a difficult west side community of Chicago, the APA designs its programs to expose high school students to the manufacturing industry, providing education, introducing skills, and giving guidance needed for students to succeed. Students are provided with mentoring, field trips, work experience and other enrichment opportunities to gain a broader understanding of their potential involvement in the industry.
A few years ago, the APA approached Steve Koch, Chicago Processing’s General Manager because of his involvement with another economic non-profit program in the area, regarding a potential partnership. The Chicago Processing plant, also located on the west side of Chicago, has been operating since 1983 and has been involved with the community in the past. The Chicago Processing plant offers high quality steel coil processing with quick delivery along with custom edging capabilities.
Steve chose to form this valuable partnership with the APA because “it benefits the students, [and] it reinforces the philosophy of Plymouth Tube which is being involved in and part of the community we are working in”. He takes the time to mentor the students as they come through Chicago Processing, whether for shorter visits or longer internship experiences.
The APA already sees positive results through their programs and partnerships with companies like Plymouth Tube’s Chicago Processing as 117 students have earned 173 industry-recognized machining credentials from the National Institute for metalworking Skills (NIMS) to date. As Chicago Processing continues to be involved with the school, Steve hopes that this type of education for students will continue to yield positive impact, not only for the students and their parents, but also for the community and the industry as well.
“The Chicago Processing plant… has been a valued partner to APA”, stated the APA in a recent press release. “Steve Koch, General Manager, and his staff have demonstrated exceptional commitment and leadership to the program, students and community.” Especially when there is a need for skills and talent in the industry, Plymouth Tube Company continues to remain dedicated to being involved in its community and helping educate the next generation of leaders in manufacturing.
