Henderson County, NC: Over 230 high school students from Henderson County Public Schools will tour eight different manufacturing operations today as part of the Made in Henderson program.

Students participating in the tours will learn more about the availability of advanced manufacturing careers in Henderson County. Participating companies will showcase the multiple career entry points available in manufacturing and the products that are made here. Tours expose students to what manufacturing operations look like today: clean and high-tech.

“These tours allow students to see the variety of careers waiting for them at home and tell the story that manufacturing has changed,” said Brian Cavagnini, Director of Operations at Meritor. “Mechatronics careers, for example, are advanced, challenging and engaging. Manufacturing jobs today are much different from perceptions of working in a factory.”

Classes were matched with companies based on their program of study, allowing students to see the connections between what they learn in the classroom and how their education is applied in real life. “This is our fifth year offering tours,” said Pat Wagner, HCPED Board Chair, “each time we seem to make a greater impact with more students expressing interest in a career with a local manufacturer. This is important work; developing our workforce pipeline.”

Event marketing, including student t-shirts, and tour logistics were made possible thanks to grant funding through The Community Foundation of Henderson County, Meritor, Hannah Flanagan’s & Horizon Heating & Air Conditioning Charitable Giving Grant and a grant from the NC Department of Public Instruction awarded to Henderson County Public Schools to support the Mechatronics Career Pathway.

Participating industries include: Current by GE, Elkamet, GF Linamar, Lassonde Pappas, SMARTRAC Technology Group Fletcher, Multi Packaging Solutions, RAUMEDIC and Continental Automotive Systems.

Made in Henderson County is a coordinated effort established to enhance the connection between manufacturing businesses and the Henderson County Public Schools, while telling the story of manufacturing, the products that are made here and the people who make them. The initiative is focused on raising the visibility of manufacturing as a viable career path to ensure that Henderson County students have diverse employment opportunities in the community, and manufacturing businesses have access to skilled local talent. Visit www.madeinhendersoncunty.com for more information.