OrthoWorx

The orthopedic industry is desperate for skilled workers, but there’s a problem—most students and parents don’t even know these jobs exist, even in their own backyards.

Advanced Manufacturing pathways in schools are designed to prepare students for high-demand careers, but enrollment is shockingly low. Why? For starters, the manufacturing industry is still battling its “dark, dirty, and dull” reputation. Spoiler alert: it’s none of those things anymore.

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And then there are school counselors. These folks are absolute superheroes, guiding students through a maze of career options, college plans, and life challenges. But even superheroes have limits. With hundreds of students to help, counselors get less than ten minutes per semester with each one. That’s barely enough time to say, “Hey, have you thought about polishing implants or becoming a MedTech innovator?”

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To make their jobs even tougher, counselors often lack the resources or industry-specific knowledge to spotlight careers in orthopedics or MedTech entrepreneurship. Add in barriers like language differences, negative perceptions, and tough home situations, and many students never even hear about these incredible opportunities.

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And let’s not forget the entrepreneurial side. MedTech startups are shaping the future, but how do you get an eighth grader to imagine themselves as the next big innovator when they don’t even know the industry exists?

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The challenge here isn’t just lack of awareness—it’s a perfect storm of misconceptions, communication gaps, and an overworked system that keeps students from seeing the incredible opportunities waiting for them in orthopedics.

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Enter OrthoWorx, iXplore, and the Don Wood Foundation.

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