In a recent episode of SME’s “Manufacturing the Workforce of Tomorrow” podcast, host Tony Meery sat down with Gabe Kooyers, a machining instructor at Van Buren Tech who is taking an innovative approach to preparing students for careers in advanced manufacturing.
Kooyers, who started his journey as a student in the program with aspirations of becoming an engineer, fell in love with machining and landed an apprenticeship in plastic injection mold making. After gaining industry experience, he returned to his alma mater as a part-time instructor while earning his teaching degree.
Since taking the reins of the program in 2003, Kooyers has transformed it from a small operation with just six students to a thriving, fully-enrolled course that is churning out highly skilled, adaptable machinists. His secret? A focus on CNC machining from day one.
“So many students are like, well, I hate computers,” Kooyers said. “I’m like, well if you’re going into this career field, computers are going to be a thing in the lifespan of your career. I mean, there is no getting around that nowadays.”
Rather than relegating CNC to an advanced topic, Kooyers has his students start with programming and operating CNC machines, then alternate with manual machining projects. This approach not only engages students who have grown up with technology but also drives home the efficiency and power of CNC.
By the time they get through the Titan curriculum and the manual parts that we do, the students are plug and play. Especially if it’s a Mastercam shop, the students are able to walk right in and on day two, day three, they’re drawing and programming parts on their machines and setting them up in the CNCs.
The proof is in the pudding when it comes to employer feedback. Kooyers said companies are consistently impressed with the skills and problem-solving abilities his students bring to their co-ops and entry-level positions. He attributes this to the program’s emphasis on project management, with students taking ownership of their schedules and deliverables.
Kooyers is also arming his students with impressive portfolios to showcase during job interviews. Each student creates a briefcase featuring 10 machined parts they’ve produced, along with all the accompanying documentation – from initial drawings and Mastercam programming to inspection reports. It’s a tangible demonstration of the end-to-end manufacturing process.
To attract industry partnerships and elevate his program’s visibility, Kooyers has become a prolific presence on LinkedIn. By regularly posting updates on student projects and tagging sponsors, he’s forged relationships with local employers and leading brands like Haas, Kennametal, and Mastercam.
“It’s been revolutionary,” he said of his LinkedIn activity. “The big shift was Titans of CNC coming out with the Academy and all the training videos and all the education. Just the other day, the wire machine, my students are like, hey, what’s that machine? Oh, well, let’s learn about it.”
For Kooyers, empowering the next generation of machinists boils down to providing the tools and support, then stepping back and letting students take charge of their education.
“Give them the tools. Let them run, be there to guide them kind of like a shepherd,” he advised fellow instructors. “Let the students run because they love it and they get after it.”
As the manufacturing skills gap continues to loom large, educators like Gabe Kooyers are proving that a fresh approach to training – one that leans into the unique qualities of the rising workforce – can build a sustainable talent pipeline. Connect with Gabe on LinkedIn to follow his program’s journey and pick up more pearls of wisdom.
