Members Give Back: Steel King

June 19, 2023

Steel King Rocks Students’ Worlds With the Heavy Metal Tour

By Nicole Needles

A Heavy Metal Tour for students sounds hardcore. While this event isn’t musical or screamo related, the reality is still just as rock ‘n’ roll. Each year, industrial racking supplier and manufacturer Steel King and local partners – technical colleges and manufacturers, including Mid-State Technical College in Wisconsin Rapids – invite students to see the behind-the-scenes of manufacturing processes such as welding, fabricating, engineering and more. The experience is not only immersive and educational for students but also integral in showing them that they have many more options for their post-high school future than they may have thought initially.

In one day, middle school students in the central and northern Wisconsin areas will tour three to four manufacturing facilities and learn about education and career opportunities in the industry. The program began in 2014 and has been active since then, excluding tours due to the pandemic. 2022 was the first year the program was back after the pandemic, and it was more vital than ever.

“The event provides a unique opportunity for middle school students in our area to gain valuable knowledge of high-demand careers in the manufacturing industry through tours of manufacturing facilities in our area,” said Dan Wierzba. Wierzba is the inside sales manager at Steel King Industries, Inc. and is currently the primary point person for the Heavy Metal Tour.

“Unfortunately, many students and parents aren’t even aware of the large manufacturing presence that exists in the central Wisconsin area, so allowing these students to get out and see what’s actually available is exciting for the students and us. With Mid-State Technical College being involved, students can also see what’s available at the technical college level for education and beyond the traditional four-year college programs. What student isn’t excited about getting out of the typical school day and into the real world for tours?”

Some students are just being introduced to the manufacturing world, but others are getting confirmation that their career goals are right for them. The tours ignite excitement for their plans and teach them something new. The team has even had students come through that eventually become full time employees.

A few of Wierzba’s favorite parts of the program are hearing what students already know about the industry. He also loves hearing from students who thought a four year college track was their only option but had a new motivation to pursue a career in the industry after the tour.

The Heavy Metal Tour, along with other programs like this throughout the country, is making efforts to educate students and eradicate the stigma surrounding manufacturing facilities and professions that they are gloomy, boring or even dangerous. These ideas are simply untrue.

“I’m just glad that Steel King is involved in this program to assist area youth in deciding what they want to do for their future. It’s not easy for young adults, who may have no idea what they want to do for the rest of their lives, especially at a middle school age level, to start thinking about what their adult years will be like,” Wierzba said. “It probably seems so far in their future, but it is closer than they think. Anything we can provide as a local employer to help educate them and their parents about what opportunities exist will ultimately be positive for our company and the local economy.”