Earlier this month, students from Fond du Lac High School participated in ‘Reality Day’ at the Moraine Park Technical College Fond du Lac Campus conference center as part of their personal finance class.

The event provided a virtual simulated experience where students were challenged to manage their finances as they navigated through real-life scenarios. The students chose their careers and had a set income to work with throughout the exercise. Some expenses they were tasked to work through included children, transportation, clothing, leisure and entertainment, charitable giving and more.

For some students, managing their finances made them think twice about their future careers and spending habits. Sam Giese, a Fond du Lac High School senior, reflected on her experience. “I ended up with -$286,” she said. “One thing I learned is I want to make more money than an author, which is the job I chose for the day.”

Moraine Park employee volunteers were stationed throughout the conference center to advise students as needed.

“I chose to volunteer for Reality Day because it’s a great experience for the students,” Cynthia Collins, Moraine Park Leadership Development Instructor, said. “As instructors, it’s important to interact with area high school students to build relationships and share insight. For many students, Reality Day is eye-opening and can be scary when they think about their futures, so it’s great to be able to guide them through it and answer any questions they have.”

Fond du Lac High School finance teacher, John Quella, encouraged students to make connections and ask thoughtful questions as they worked through the exercise.

“Never throw anyone off of your island of support, and always think about what’s in your best interest,” Quella told his students. “Constantly build up your references and resume, and create a network of people you can turn to later on.”

The event was in partnership with CESA 6, a non-profit, member-driven cooperative educational service agency headquartered in Oshkosh, WI.

Workforce shortages, rising costs and high product demands are propelling area businesses to boost efficiency through Lean efforts. To that end, 11 area business professionals explored ways to eliminate waste, improve production quality and work more efficiently through Moraine Park’s Six Sigma Green Belt certification training.

Class members presented their final projects Monday, November 14, 2022, and received their certifications upon successfully completing the program. Program participants included Joel Arend, Whisker LLC; Jacinda Buss, Richelieu Foods Inc.; Kenneth Beckrow III, Tenneco; Andrew Ford, Alliance Laundry Systems; Cody Genthe, Keiding Inc.; Laura Libera, Grande Cheese Company; Bethany Newsome, Tenneco; Jinal Patel, Centro Inc.; Brian Rosik, Plastic Components Inc., a division of Rosti; Jon Vogt, Alliance Laundry Systems; and Travis Wuesthoff, Amsted Automotive. Presentations took place on the Moraine Park Technical College Fond du Lac campus with business representatives, sponsors and project champions attending.

The participants completed independent class projects, which included how variability in quality measures affect the final product; efforts in reducing scrap, defective components and production change-over time; ways to optimize the packing process; and how to increase throughput on a profitable production line. Participants that calculated a cost savings as part of their project averaged a $168,800 return on investment for such things as reduced scrap, the cost of escape due to shipping defective components and missed production opportunities.

Six Sigma training provides participants with techniques and tools needed to improve processes that results in better business performance. MPTC will be offering its next Six Sigma Green Belt Certification training on Mondays February 20-May 22, 2023. The deadline to register is January 31, 2023. For those who have completed Green Belt Certification, MPTC will offer a Black Belt Program from January 30-March 6, 2023. The deadline to register is January 6, 2023.

To register for either training, email training@morainepark.edu or call 920-924-3449.