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II. School and Industry Partnership “Tips” Successful partnerships begin with mutual respect and an education process on both sides. All stakeholders in the partner school must know what the manufacturing industry is really like. By contrast, the manufacturer has to know what the school needs, how the students, teachers and administrators think, and how schools “work”. Collectively, both entities must make sure that the old stereotypes of dirty, hot work conditions and monot- onous, mindless, back-breaking conditions are removed. The previous sections provide partnership ideas and opportunities. This section addresses how these misconceptions can be erased and replaced with positive, proactive actions. Targeting Advanced Manufacturing’s Softer Side Advanced manufacturing as a “green” profession Advanced manufacturing as a helping profession Advanced manufacturing as a creative profession Advanced manufacturing as a “hands-on” profession Advanced manufacturing as a high tech profession Advanced manufacturing as a lucrative career Targeting Girls and Young Women Targeting the Future Workforce (K-12) Targeting Parents Targeting the School’s Community Educating about Manufacturing in Florida: Manu-Facts FLATE’s “Made in Florida” online resource provides many avenues for you to explore these lines of thought with students. It showcases manufactured items and companies. It also highlights career pathway resources that will help industry and educators make the point that manufacturing plays a big role in improving our quality of life, and that the man- ufacturing industry provides high tech and creative professions. In addition, it draws at- tention to the fact that there are great career pathways for students to become involved in this profession. Targeting Advanced Manufacturing’s Softer Side Manufacturers have characteristics that students, teachers, and school administrators need to know about. Students will find modern manufacturing practices amazing and a world away from their current I-Pod view of high technology. Showcasing your hard core manufacturing processes either in their classrooms or in your plant will make a long- term, “gee whiz” impression on them. Discussing your technology will certainly broaden students’ perspective of what manufacturing is all about. To appeal to a wider audience, consider bringing the softer sides of your operations to their attention. Some of these characteristics are outlined here and represent great talking points for your company, as well as avenues to build partnerships with a school and its students. 11