The Andes Central CTE classes attended an industry partner trip to Platte, to see CTE in action. The group toured Summit contracting where they discussed, drafting, post frame building, millwright construction, (grain bin and grain structure construction) spray foam insulation, electrical construction and post frame building construction. The group also visited Synrgy sign company where they learn how signs, big and small, were designed and built. Form there they were off to Turnis Farm service where they learned about the mixing, application of chemicals and the grinding of hay bales for feed for livestock.

After lunch at Booms, students were off to Meyerink Farm Service where students learned about all the products that are manufactured, repaired and maintained there. They observed the feed wagons and the yard push type scrapers built at Meyerinks farm service. They were also introduced to a very big plasma table where parts are made for the plant. The students were also introduced to the assemblers, paint and paint preppers, welders and mechanics that are also employed there. Students were also given the chance to try their hand at welding.

From there we traveled to Trail-eze where we learned how some unique trailers, specifically made in the Platte manufacturing plant, were cut out of large pieces of steel in various pieces, then assembled in a very systematic approach. The trailers are set to a specific schedule where they a made or pieced together in an area, bays they call them, then moved on to the next bay for another part of the process. If everything goes as planned, the plant will put out a trailer a week.

Trail-eze is on the forefront of the building process in that they have a robot that does some of the welding rather than a human welding. This greatly increases the production and accuracy of the process. This gave students that may not be into the welding or of the technical side of building an option to work close to home. The students that like to work with computers or be part of programming would be good fit for this part of the building process.

Overall, students were introduced to many CTE options available to them within driving distance of Lake Andes. A common theme from the business was that if you are looking for a job, we are looking for people to work. They were happy students are given an opportunity have CTE classes in school and encouraged them to continue to take trade classes that are offered. A large number of the business were eager to offer Scholarships of some sort to students that may be interested.