For Immediate Release
Contact: Daniel Wackershauser, Marketing and PR Specialist
Phone: 608.822.2303
Mail: 1800 Bronson Blvd., Fennimore, WI 53809
Date of Release: November 25, 2019
Collaboration continues with Platteville business and high school
Platteville -
A collaboration between Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, Averkamp Auto Body in Platteville, Wisconsin and Platteville High School continued this semester. Specifically, high school students were able to explore auto collision refinishing. They spent a week learning from Ed Averkamp, owner of Averkamp Auto Body, which culminated in active learning activities at his business on Nov. 15.
This partnership began a couple of years ago when Averkamp had a discussion with Greg Wubben, auto collision instructor at Southwest Tech, about sparking interest for the industry in the younger generation. Averkamp serves on the Southwest Tech Auto Body Advisory Committee. They contacted Platteville High School and Chuck Smet, former technology and engineering teacher, and he brought the students on board. The collaboration has continued with Jason Sasse, technology and engineering instructor at Platteville High School.
During each lesson, the students have the opportunity to refurbish a car hood. Averkamp purchases the sheet metal, which provides good practice simulation for the students. The safety gear and paint were donated. Averkamp built the stand for the hood.
The students work through the process of fixing the dents and repainting the piece. Once complete, they all add autographs to their masterpiece. The hood is dried and hung on a classroom wall, near last semester’s piece.
In addition, Wubben brought the Southwest Tech auto paint simulator, which allows students to practice their paint skills.