Central Wisconsin Manufacturing Alliance



Who We Are



Founded in 2016, CWIMA is a nonprofit comprising over 130 members, led by business and industry, increasing educational and career awareness in welding, fabricating, machining, and manufacturing trades.

Our Mission

We focus on making the maximum positive effort for our community through our collective efforts, initiatives, and partnerships with regional educational institutions and workforce development partnerships.

January 2023 Newsletter





2022 CWIMA Competition Winners!

The 2022 #cwimamfg Competition Winners have been announced. The three team winners and ten individual winners are from Central Wisconsin High Schools and the awards were presented by CWIMA Board Member, Mark Snyder of JBT/ A and B Process Systems.

Training and Workforce Development

Training [&] Workforce Development

We develop training opportunities for new and incumbent employees looking for fostering creative training models while increasing employee attraction and retention for members.

CWIMA Scholarships

Scholarships

We’ve created a scholarship fund awarding over $50,000 to area K-12 students used for continuing their career aspirations in manufacturing at either NTC or Mid-State Technical College.

CWIMA Memberships

Membership

Create a diverse and active membership and Board of Directors of Manufacturing Members, Affiliate Members, Associate Members, Workforce Development Agencies, and Educational Partnerships for achieving and maximizing our goals.

Summer Programs

Summer Programs

Create free, innovative, short-term summer programs at our technical colleges, exposing students to advanced manufacturing careers, allowing for free college credits in 23 related manufacturing career paths.

Heavy Metal Tour

Heavy Metal Tour

Create educational awareness opportunities area 8th grade students and teachers, bridging awareness of manufacturing-related career paths and their influence and importance to our economic sustainability.

Move to Manufacturing

Move to Manufacturing

Businesses are teaming up, offering free training as the manufacturing industry grows. Get skills and knowledge needed for a manufacturing job along with the support needed for success.

Members






Become a member!

Programs

Apply for Scholarships Here

 

We're proud to have incredible programs like Move to Manufacturing and the Heavy Metal Tour available to our community.

Move 2 Manufacturing Visit the Move to Manufacturing Site Here

M2M

Move to Manufacturing

As the manufacturing industry continues to grow, local businesses are teaming up to offer this free training opportunity designed to quickly grow the workforce. Get the skills and knowledge that you need for employment in manufacturing with the support you need to be successful, all without having to quit your current job.

Education

Education

Supporting School Districts

Materials, Scholarships, and Programs

Nothing is more important to CWIMA than supporting the development of students in tech and industrial careers. CWIMA cares about schools and the resources they need to make the trades exciting and fulfilling. Get in touch with CWIMA to see how your business can impact and directly support schools in need.

Heavy Metal Tour

Heavy Metal Tour

Visit the Heavy Metal Tour Site Here

EXPLORING 21ST CENTURY CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Approximately 1,800 students from area schools on the 8th Annual Heavy Metal Tour. The event provides students with an opportunity to explore education and career opportunities in welding, fabricating, machining, engineering, computing and manufacturing trades by visiting NTC and local state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. When touring the facilities, students met with subject matter experts, saw firsthand the latest technologies employed in manufacturing and learned more about the diversity of high-demand career options in these fields.

 

 


2023 CWIMA EVENTS

Click the Links Below for more Information




January 31, 2023 CWIMA Strategic Planning Meeting - January 31, 2023 - 5PM - Mosinee Brewing Company


April 25, 26th, 2023 CWIMA Industry 4.0 Expo - Rothschild, WI


June 26, 2023 CWIMA Spring Scholarship Golf Outing - Greenwood Hills


August 7, 2023 CWIMA Summer Scholarship Golf Outing - Stevens Point Country Club



 


Meet the Team

Tait Strand Executive Director of CWIMA

Tait Strand - Executive Director

Tait's career began in the United States Army, as an aviator crewman for the Kiowa, Blackhawk, and Apache helicopters. He was awarded three Army Commendation medals during several deployments.

Following his military service, Tait spent a decade with the largest military contractor in the world, Lockheed Martin. As a Senior Quality Manager, he and his team were awarded the Team of the Year in 2007 for accomplishments on the SOFSA contract.

Tait spent the last several years in the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development as a Veteran Career Representative. During this time, he met with and gained trust from many corporations in Central Wisconsin. Tait was awarded the Veteran Employer of the Year from the Disabled Veterans of America and DWD. His knowledge of workforce development, team building, and communication is an amazing asset to the organization and the members that CWIMA serves.

Tait will continue to inspire youth and bring forth the rewarding career opportunities in manufacturing.
Tait Strand received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Midway University. For all Executive Level concerns please reach out to Tait HERE

CWIMA Logo

CWIMA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding opportunties for businesses and individuals to grow our manufacturing sectors.

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