They came from Clinton: Bobby Oldenburg

By Audrey Buchanan

Clinton School District

This is the ninth in a series of stories about Clinton schools alumni and where they are today.

Bobby Oldenburg is a 2015 graduate of Clinton High School. Immediately following graduation, Oldenburg attended Rock Valley College in Rockford, Ill., as part of a program sponsored by Woodward Governor.

The Rock Valley College Summer Manufacturing Academy is an eight-week program that teaches CNS lathe operation, blueprinting, machinist math, and safety. More than 200 people applied for this program.

Oldenburg was one of 30 to be accepted, and he graduated among the top three. He earned the National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS) certificates in Materials, Measurement, and Safety, as well as CNC Milling, Programming Set-Up, and Operations (level one). He also earned a certificate in FANUC Robotics.

Student scores from the program are sent to prospective employers who then decide which graduates they would like to interview for possible job placement. Graduates from the program are generally guaranteed three job interviews with companies in the area.

Some companies are looking for apprentices and will not hire anyone who has not first completed an apprenticeship. Oldenburg was offered the opportunity to interview with four or five different companies in northern Illinois, but accepted the job offered to him by Woodward Governor, and was hired without having to complete an apprenticeship.

He builds, calibrates, and inspects air valves for a variety of types of aircrafts, including military grade equipment. He also builds valves for conveyors.

Oldenburg had already been accepted at Universal Technical Institute (UTI) in Illinois before learning about the eight-week program through Rock Valley. The program at UTI was a two-year diesel mechanic program.

If he had followed that route, he would still be in school instead of already in the work field. He believes he made the right choice because he acquired his certification much more quickly and is already on the job. As he learns new skills and techniques, he will be able to advance quite quickly.

While in high school, Oldenburg took as many shop and agriculture classes as possible. He also took math classes, which provided the experience needed to get accepted into the program. He also credits working with father, who is a mechanic for the school district, for teaching him the value of good work ethic.

Former woods shop teacher, Mr. Derek Tietz, said of Oldenburg, “Bobby was always willing to do whatever was asked of him. I could give him a task and he would set out to do it. If he wasn’t sure just how to do something, he always asked for clarification. He was eager to learn new things.”

Oldenburg’s parents, Stacy and Les Oldenburg, are very proud of his accomplishments. Les added, “We tell him every day!”

Stacy commented, “He gave up his entire summer, which included a vacation to visit his grandfather in Alabama, in order to complete the program. We had planned our family vacation, not knowing that Bobby was going to be accepted. Once he was accepted he gave up any fun plans he had for his “senior summer” and simply focused on completing the program and earning his certification. For an 18-year-old kid, that says a lot. He was very dedicated to his learning. He never missed a day. That dedication is now carrying through to his job.”

Oldenburg commented, “This type of work is a lot different than what I’m used to. I have always done more manual labor, and now I sit at a desk and work on smaller parts.”

In addition to working at Woodward and continuing to learn new job skills, Oldenburg is a coach for the Clinton Middle School wrestling team. This was his first year as an official coach for the school, although he had coached club wrestling for the younger students while he was still in high school.

He still helps with that when he can. Oldenburg has also continued his personal wrestling since high school. He competed in the Purple Pummel open tournaments in Milwaukee, and in the National competition in Iowa.

Woodward was very cooperative in making it possible for Oldenburg to coach. They allowed him to change his hours to third shift to accommodate the wrestling schedule. Now that wrestling season is done, he has gone back to working first shift.

Oldenburg is very grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of this program. He added, “I’m happy to have a job now with no college debt. The program was completely paid for by the companies that sponsor it. I plan to stay here as long as I can. The benefits are great! I already have a full 401K, and can also qualify for Woodward stock. They are a really good company to work for. This was a great opportunity!”