As part of NFPA’s ongoing mission to build an educated workforce for the fluid power industry, a new event was launched in partnership with Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) to engage the next generation. Held in early May, the inaugural “Fluid Power Day” welcomed high school juniors and seniors from across Wisconsin to explore career paths in fluid power and engineering technology.
This first-time event was developed in collaboration with WCTC’s Recruitment and Engagement team, which regularly hosts high school outreach events. The partnership was a natural fit since WCTC serves as Wisconsin’s Fast Track to Fluid Power Hub and offers dedicated fluid power coursework.
What Students Experienced:
- Career Panel: Students heard directly from NFPA members about their roles, career paths, and daily work experiences. The session sparked meaningful questions about technical education, project work, and job environments.
- Lab Tours & Faculty Engagement: Students explored WCTC’s labs, met instructors, and learned about real-world class projects involving automation, hydraulics, and more
- College & Career Fair: Students connected with admissions staff, gathered resources, and discovered pathways from high school to skilled technical careers.
By the end of the event, students left with a stronger understanding of the many opportunities available in fluid power and technical education.
Fast Track Hubs – Let’s Host A Fluid Power Day!
Following this successful pilot, let’s get similar events at the Fast Track Hubs in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Texas.
We need your help. If you're an NFPA member or Fast Track Hub interested in the Fluid Power Day event, contact us at workforce@nfpa.com.
