The manufacturing sector—an arena of innovation, precision, and technology—continues to evolve, and U.S. manufacturers need workers who have the technical and STEM-related skills to succeed in modern manufacturing careers. According to a joint report from Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute, 3.8 million new employees may be needed to fill openings in U.S. manufacturing by 2033.
Throughout PLTW programs, students explore more than 280 careers; many of those are within manufacturing in areas such as industrial, mechanical, quality, and asset integrity. Students develop the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed at in-demand careers, and many industry partners across the country support PLTW students and their teachers through classroom visits, facility tours, work-based learning opportunities, and more.
PLTW Transformative Partner Ardagh Group launched a summer internship program in 2024. Ardagh recruits graduating seniors from PLTW Engineering and PLTW Computer Science programs, which supports manufacturing workforce development. In the program’s first two summers, 28 PLTW interns have gained hands-on experience in a real-life work environment. We asked two of those interns about their experience in the PLTW classroom and as Ardagh interns.
Rose Immekus
Ardagh Glass Packaging-North America Intern
Festus High School | Festus, Missouri
Rose attended Festus High School in Festus, Missouri. She is now a student at Missouri University of Science and Technology with a double major in electrical engineering and computer engineering.
What was your most memorable PLTW experience? Why?
A lot of my most memorable PLTW experiences came from the journey. With each completed project, I found myself increasingly excited for the next class. With slight experience in coding, the beginning of the coding project felt like nothing new, until we applied the coding project to a robot that read colored tape to complete an obstacle course. In the final project we made a digital design that used parts of techniques we had been learning all year. Then, one day, we plugged our own designs into the looming machine. In a matter of minutes, the Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine drilled away pieces of wood composite blocks to reveal the designs we ourselves had created! My most memorable PLTW experience was watching my digital projects become physical and prove that what I did had results completely of my own design.
How did your PLTW experience prepare you for a future career and how did it prepare you specifically for the manufacturing industry/internship?
I only knew in high school that I had an interest in engineering; however, the PLTW Computer Integrated Manufacturing class elevated my interests to realize my calling in computer engineering. Moreover, PLTW does an incredible job of explaining the nuances and components that go into a finished product, so my internship with Ardagh Glass Packaging took significantly less effort to understand the computer-to-product results. I also found myself more excited than overwhelmed, as I had originally expected to feel, because I could understand and follow the progression of Ardagh’s products without needing to ask for help.
What is at least one surprising thing that you learned about manufacturing during your internship with Ardagh?
An aspect of the manufacturing process I had not thought of before my internship came from the extensive inspection processes (involved with producing packaging for the food and beverage industry). Another surprising aspect of the manufacturing process came from the amount of forethought put into planning for changes to the production schedule and products being made. For example, when the production facility where I interned had to change from one glass color or product to another, they had specific procedures in place to ensure the proper equipment, raw materials and packaging were ready and available.
What is the most valuable thing you took away from your internship?
To listen to and respect every person I met. Almost every person in the manufacturing facility had a different specialization that made them important to the production process, from the plant engineer who supervised my internship to the go-to person on the maintenance team for electrical issues. My willingness to ask questions of people beyond my initial scope as an intern allowed me to learn tips and important lessons from some people who had worked at the same facility for over 30 years.
Zach Rang
Ardagh Metal Packaging-North America Intern
Edison High School | West Milan, Ohio
Zach attended Edison High School in Milan, Ohio. He is now a student at The Ohio State University studying mechanical engineering.
How did your PLTW experience prepare you for a future career and how did it prepare you specifically for the manufacturing industry/internship?
My senior year of high school, I had the opportunity to take a PLTW class. Through the course, I gained a better understanding of engineering and the many fields that are related. My PLTW class helped me realize I wanted to focus on mechanical engineering. Following high school, this class opened the opportunity to intern with Ardagh as a manufacturing engineer.
What is at least one surprising thing that you learned about manufacturing during your internship with Ardagh?
The most surprising thing I learned about manufacturing during my internship was how critical numbers are. When producing at such a rapid rate, it’s important to be accurate with your measurements, which sometimes can get as small as a hundred thousandth.
What is the most valuable thing you took away from your internship?
The most valuable thing I took away from my internship was the importance of analyzing and predicting problems before they occur. This is crucial because it allows you to address the problem before it leads to extended periods of downtime and spoilage.
What advice would you give to a younger person who is interested in STEM and considering a manufacturing career path?
My advice to a younger individual pursuing a career in STEM or manufacturing would be to get your hands dirty early. Take any opportunity that arises to try out the different fields and explore what you want to do with the rest of your life. Whether it’s through different clubs, classes, or even internships, these experiences can open so many doors.
Through PLTW and industry partnerships, students gain a competitive edge in emerging and high-demand fields. We appreciate our industry partners like Ardagh Group that give students opportunities outside of the classroom to develop the knowledge and skills they are gaining in their PLTW programs.
"At Ardagh, we see firsthand the technical competencies and 21st century skills that PLTW courses provide," Ardagh Group's Global Head of Education Programs Sean Cosgrove said. "The students who join us as interns are eager to learn, problem solve and take ownership of real projects. They not only deliver solutions but also bring fresh perspectives and are adding real value to our business."
