More than 1100 Students to Experience 2018 Manufacturing Days

Blackhawk Technical College (BTC) will celebrate Manufacturing Days, on October 4 and 5, 2018. The event is part of a national effort to inspire students to pursue careers in manufacturing. In addition, Manufacturing Days aim to change perceptions about today’s manufacturing environment. BTC is collaborating with economic and workforce development partners, area school districts, and over 30 employers in Rock and Green Counties on this year’s event. Curriculum for the event has been provided by the School District of Janesville.

Manufacturing Day is celebrated nationwide the first Friday in October. BTC launched its Manufacturing Day event in 2017 with approximately 500 students from Rock and Green Counties participating. BTC’s event was so popular in its debut year that attendance will more than double in 2018 causing the event to be spread across two days. The college and its partners wanted to encourage as many students as possible to attend. Therefore, this fall it is estimated that approximately 1100 from 20 area schools will experience Manufacturing Days over the two days.

Students will visit BTC’s Advanced Manufacturing Training Center in Milton where they will get an overview of technical programs while touring the state-of-the-art facility. Students will also tour at least one business in the region to see demonstrations and draw attention to the outstanding opportunities that a career in manufacturing can provide.

“Manufacturing Days offer an opportunity for the next generation of our workforce to see the industry in action and learn about many well-paying careers,” said Dr. Tracy Pierner, Blackhawk Technical College President. “We are grateful to our community partners who help make it possible for students in our region to see manufacturing in action right here in our communities.”

Manufacturing Day is a great way to provide local students with access to manufacturers in our area who need skilled workers, and it allows students to see how Blackhawk Technical College can help them continue on their pathway of success.

“Manufacturing Day events, as well as other immersion-orientated experiences, provide area high school students with a direct opportunity to incorporate employment and/or career exploration into their Academic & Career Plans (ACP's). This type of structured engagement activity, when combined with the Inspire Rock County initiative, enhances the career readiness and preparation tools that students can leverage to strengthen their ACP's,” said James Otterstein, Economic Development Manager, Rock County Development Agency.

Manufacturers (see list below) will host students, teachers, administrators and other local community members to showcase modern manufacturing technology and careers and to inspire the next generation of workers. According to manufacturingInstitute.org, more than 3.4 million manufacturing jobs will become available in the United States by 2025. Wisconsin currently has the highest percentage of manufacturing employees at 9.44% followed by Indiana at 9.08% (United States Census Bureau, 2017).

Albany, ARISE Virtual Academy, Beloit Learning Academy, Beloit Memorial, Brodhead, Clinton, Craig, Edgerton, Evansville, FJ Turner, Juda, Milton, Monroe, Monticello, Parker, Parkview, Rock River Charter, Rock University High School, Tagos Leadership Academy and Whitewater.

Alliant Energy, AM Castle, Baker Manufacturing Company, Ball Corporation, Bliss Communications, Charter NEX Films, Chicago Fittings Corporation, Cotta Transmission Company, Edgerton Gear, Inc., Evonik, Frito Lay, GOEX Corporation, Impact Confections, Inc., Kuhn North America, Inc., Lanair Products, Inc., Mid-States Concrete, Monroe Truck Equipment, Morgan Corporation, MPC Inc., North American Pipe Corporation, Orchid International, Pratt Industries, Precision Drawn Metals, Precision Plus, Prent, Regal Beloit, Scot Forge Company, Seneca Foods Corporation, SSI Technologies, Inc., Stainless Tank & Equipment, Stoughton Trailers, Tigre USA, Toledo Molding & Die and United Alloy, Inc.

Rock County 5.0, North American Pipe, Edgerton Gear, Chicago Fittings, Regal Beloit, Green County Economic Development, Kuhn N.A., Prent/GOEX, SSI, Frito Lay, Blackhawk Bank, Southwest Workforce Development Board and Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.