This past summer, more than 50 high school students across the state of South Carolina stepped out of the classroom and onto the factory floor as part of several student development programs at Boeing South Carolina.
Under the supervision of workplace coaches, Manufacturing Student Development Program participants learned some of the foundational elements of airplane assembly. (Xavier Navarro/Boeing photo)
“Walking into Boeing South Carolina every day and seeing these airplanes out on the floor—it doesn’t get old,” said Summerville High School senior Gabe Dela Cruz.
Dela Cruz’s Aerospace Engineering teacher initially encouraged him to apply for the manufacturing program he took part in. Now, after completing the program, he’s gained foundational training for mechanics, including learning how to use various drills and apply sealant to carbon composite and other materials.
“Once I started getting my hands dirty, I was like, man, this is for me,” Dela Cruz said.
Gabe Dela Cruz undergoes assembly training in one of BSC’s training facilities. (Xavier Navarro/Boeing photo)
Four hands-on learning programs provide students skills and experience to explore what it’s like working in manufacturing. These programs include the following:
High School Manufacturing Student Development Program: A six-week paid work-based learning experience focused on manufacturing training and skill development in paint and assembly.
High School Engineering Program: An eight-week program for high school seniors supporting Engineering, Quality, and Operations.
High School Fulfillment Program: A seven-week program for high school seniors interested in Supply Chain and logistics. Students assisted with processing and moving materials into and out of storage and other locations to support the flow of production.
Youth Apprenticeship Program: A two-year, year-round program for students interested in mechatronics, supported by Trident Technical College. It combines dual-credit coursework with onsite employment.
Annabel Brenkert, a senior from West Ashley Center for Advanced Studies who participated in the Manufacturing Development program, also enjoyed the hands-on training.
“You get to see what people are doing, how they do it, and what an actual day is like. You’re working the entire time, and it’s really cool because I feel like I have a bigger job,” Brenkert said.
Annabel Brenkert practices drilling in the Boeing South Carolina training area. (Xavier Navarro/Boeing photo)
Beyond the training, Brenkert appreciated meeting other teammates and learning about their experiences on the factory floor.
“Everyone I’ve talked to who has worked here for 10 or 20 years is just so happy,” she said. “To think of being able to work in an environment that allows me to be that happy…would be really amazing.”