Michigan Works is getting ready for the next Manufacturing Day in Berrien and Van Buren counties, and this year, they’re doing it a little bit differently. Michigan Works Sector Relations Coordinator Erin Venno tells WSJM News for the six previous Manufacturing Days, they took local high school students on tours of manufacturing businesses. This year, they’re taking the manufacturers to the students.
“It’s really hard to measure how much impact we have, and when we started to talk to employers, they really want to get in front of the youth who are interested in pursuing manufacturing careers,” Venno said.
So, representatives of several manufacturers will be taken to CTE programs so they can chat with the young people.
“They’re going to be able to tour the facilities, they’re going to talk with the students and have relationship building time, and then also a luncheon.”
Manufacturing Day is set for October 4, and the locations will be Lakeshore High School in Stevensville, Southwest Michigan College in Niles, and the Van Buren Tech Center in Lawrence. Students who are actually enrolled in a wide range of CTE programs will be able to meet the people who could soon employ them. Venno says many of those companies are looking for people now, and some seniors who are about to graduate could get a chance to network.
