NWTC’s Soar Higher Partner award is an annual recognition honoring an industry partner championing technical education, giving back to the community, and living the College’s values. As a long-time partner of NWTC, Samuel Pressure Vessel Group (SPVG) continuously contracts with the College for workforce training and education; sponsors summer camps, community events, and high school student development; and serves as a role model for businesses living the values that drive NWTC’s work.
Promoting lifelong learning and championing technical education
Getting hands-on experience in high school is a rare occurrence for many teens, but at SPVG, it is a reality. Through a collaboration with local high schools and NWTC, SPVG hires students to work part-time at their facility and covers the cost for them to enroll in college credentials related to their work. This innovative and collaborative process allows young adults to explore opportunities before graduating and gives them a jump-start to gaining the skills necessary for a successful career.
In addition to creating pathways into skilled careers and higher education for high school students, Samuel Pressure Vessel Group regularly invests in its workforce. Five years ago, SPVG applied for its first Workforce Advancement Training grant through the Wisconsin Technical College System, partnering with NWTC to train welders. Now, because of that training and continuous improvement in the onboarding process, their conversion rate for welder advancement has more than doubled.
Giving back to the community and living the College’s values
Employees describe SPVG as having a “family-like feel,” even though it is part of a large multinational corporation, and they take their responsibility to the community seriously. Sponsoring community events and youth camps, devoting time and resources to high school education and recruitment, and using their manufacturing abilities to create unique metal fire rings and gifts for hundreds of auctions throughout the Marinette, Menominee, and Peshtigo communities are just a few ways they give back.
“Employers break down barriers for their community through involvement and engagement,” said Mark Callow, operations manager at SPVG. “We want to remove the competitor mentality and focus on how we can be good neighbors, good corporate partners, and help our community grow together with our fellow businesses.”
SPVG believes in being part of the community, not just in it, and it shows in its commitment to uplifting both its workforce and region.
