Courtesy of the Florida Times Union By Anne Hammock
Chicago author with local ties hopes to change attitudes on technical education
Mike Rowe and Terry Iverson have a lot in common. The former host of “Dirty Jobs” and the Illinois business owner are both enthusiastic advocates for skilled labor careers.
“If I could reach one person who is most representative of what I’m trying to do, it would be Mike Rowe,” said Iverson.
Iverson is the author of “Finding America’s Greatest Champion: Building Prosperity through Manufacturing, Mentoring and the Awesome Responsibility of Parenting,” a newly released book aimed primarily at changing the perception of the American manufacturing industry.
The third-generation owner of Iverson & Company, a machine tool distributorship, Iverson is originally from Chicago, where his family has a history in manufacturing that dates back nearly a century. He moved to Jacksonville as a young boy and later graduated from Bolles.
After his marriage, he moved back to the Midwest in the mid-80s to join the family business.
Iverson maintains his connection to the First Coast, serving on several local school advisory boards. When contacted for an interview, he was on his way to a presentation at Educational Development Services (EDS), which provides mentorship and tutoring programs. He appeared with representatives of FSCJ, who spoke about the school’s technical education programs.
“We’ve become keenly aware of opportunities for manufacturing in the Jacksonville area and beyond. EDS can advise families of students to think beyond the typical college path,” said EDS President Nancy Barnard via email. “These students need to know that they have a bright satisfying and financially stable future. Partnering with FSCJ and their offerings allow them a resource to learn what Terry talks about in his book.”
Meet Terry Iverson
Terry Iverson will appear at San Marco Books & More on Saturday, March 2, to discuss and sign copies of his book, “Finding America’s Greatest Champion: Building Prosperity through Manufacturing, Mentoring and the Awesome Responsibility of Parenting.” The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
San Marco Books & More is located at 1971 San Marco Blvd. in Jacksonville. Call (904) 396-7597 for more information.
Iverson interviewed more than 40 people for his book, not all of them involved in manufacturing; many professional athletes were included.
“The mentoring and parenting aspect is something found a lot in sports,” he said. “I tried to address all components; helping a child find his or her passion not only makes our young people better, happier and more productive members of society, but it can also help solve the trade skills gap.”
Also among those featured in Iverson’s book is Lake Ray III, president of the First Coast Manufacturers Association since 2011.
“Terry has really given us an exciting fresh look at our industry,” said Ray. “He’s incredibly engaged with our young people, in helping them to consider these career paths.”
When he talks with teens at various career events, Iverson repeatedly finds that they don’t have any concept of the scope of manufacturing in the United States. Many are not even aware that things are still produced here.
In other words, manufacturing is not dead.
“Manufacturing is the core of the middle class and it’s crucial to defense, medical innovation and more,” said Iverson. “The laws of supply and demand tell us that when you have low supply and high demand, it’s just not sustainable. We have to change the culture.”
One of the keys to effecting that change is the return of shop class.
Many vocational programs closed down a few decades back when, industry fell on hard times and college education became the ultimate goal. That produced a gap in leadership, according to Iverson, and there are now at least one or two generations that have overlooked the manufacturing industry.
That insistence on a college education has also resulted in a crippling amount of student debt across the nation. As young adults come out of college, they owe an average of $35,000, often more. Many can’t find jobs, however, because the market is already saturated with workers in the field they chose.
Iverson points to encouraging signs. Project Lead the Way, a nonprofit based in Indianapolis, provides programs, in which for pre-K through 12th grade students learn math, geometry and science through hands-on projects or activities.
In addition, Ray reports that Johnson & Johnson Vision is working with Englewood High School on a program that allows students to complete a paid internship while still attending school. Ray and other local companies are looking forward to National Manufacturing Day in October, in which FCMA, Duval County Public Schools and FSCJ will stage a host of events meant to attract students.
Last March, the school system in Henrico County, Virginia held a “Career and Technical Letter of Intent Signing Day,” an event similar to those in which high-school athletes sign their letters of intent to play for college programs. In this case, however, the focus was on seniors heading straight to jobs and careers after graduation, thanks to training and industry certifications they earned in high school.
Iverson believes the country should see a lot more of this type of celebration.
“We celebrate athletes going on to further their sports careers,” he said. “Why don’t we celebrate someone getting a great job right out of high school?”
Manufacturing News 