Sentry Equipment has been running a co-op program for college students for nearly two decades, offering participants hands-on experience while building a pipeline of skilled workers.
Dave Nowak, vice president of engineering for the Oconomowoc-based sampling equipment manufacturer, is a product of that program. Like many other companies, the business is facing a lack of eligible workers to fill open positions, and Nowak says the co-op program has been “critical” for addressing labor needs.
“We’re definitely seeing a lot of the same pains that a lot of other companies are seeing with pulling in talent,” Nowak said in a recent interview, adding “it’s definitely helping to pull in the talent, but I think even more importantly, it helps retain that talent.”
He noted “we’re still seeing some turnover, but it’s much less than what a lot of other manufacturers are seeing.”
The company has more than 200 employees between its headquarters in Wisconsin and facilities in Texas and Utah. It provides process sampling equipment to manufacturers, utilities and other businesses, used for testing steam and water, cement, dairy products, pet food and more.
Sentry Equipment’s co-op option began with a focus on Marquette University’s co-op program, which has students come in and work full-time at the business for a semester before returning to school for the next semester.
Novak says the program aims to expose students to real work experience, including design, sales and working with customers. The company offers a rotational option for students who want to explore various facets of engineering, he noted.
Over time, the company’s program has expanded to include students from UW-Milwaukee, UW-Madison and the Milwaukee School of Engineering.
“We really want to make this beneficial for them, as well as beneficial for us, that we’re helping to train the next generation … At the end of that rotation, we have the opportunity then to give them a job offer when they reach the point of graduation,” he said.
Along with Nowak himself, the company’s Vice President of Manufacturing, Marquis Warren, also came out of the co-op program.
Sentry Equipment also hosts an annual Manufacturing Day in the fall for both high school and college students, aimed at changing perspectives about what it means to go into manufacturing. Nowak said some students view the industry as “dingy, dirty and dangerous” but the program showcases the company’s “clean and advanced shop” including automation equipment and more.
“What we want to make sure is that we’re promoting people going into the STEM pipeline, right? … and that’s just important because the more people that we can get interested in it, I think just across the board we’re going to see Wisconsin, especially southeastern Wisconsin, continue to be this magnet to pull in talent,” he said.
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