Darke County manufacturers to host plant tours for high school sophomores

0

DARKE COUNTY – In celebration of National Manufacturing Day 2015, Darke County Commissioners have declared October 2 as Manufacturing Day in Darke County.

“Several Darke County manufacturers will open their doors to more than 800 students as part of an effort to change people’s perceptions about today’s manufacturing environment and draw attention to the outstanding opportunities that a career in manufacturing can provide,” said Lisa Wendel, Career Pathways Coordinator for Darke County Economic Development.

Sophomores from all the schools in the county will tour one of the host sites. Those sites include Whirlpool, Ramco Electric Motors, Greenville Technology, Norcold, FRAM, JAFE, Ft. Recovery Industries and Midmark.

Manufacturing Day is an annual national event executed at the local level through the workforce initiatives of Darke County Partnering for Progress. It is supported by both manufacturers and schools and is designed to showcase modern manufacturing technology and careers.

“There is an increasing demand for highly skilled professionals in the manufacturing sector who can design, program and operate technology” said Wendel. “The average age of a manufacturing employee is 56, and between now and 2020 there will be an unprecedented shortage of skilled workers who will need to be replaced.”

“Manufacturing Day in Darke County is one of several Partnering for Progress initiatives in Darke County focused on making sure our best and brightest students are aware of the opportunities here and will want to return to Darke County to work and raise their families,” she said.

Other initiatives include Junior Job Shadow week in November and the development of a paid internship program for high school Juniors and Seniors.

For questions or comments regarding Manufacturing Day or other workforce initiatives email [email protected].

Event planned Oct. 2

No posts to display