The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Online: Expo at Wickliffe High School showcases manufacturing opportunities.
Over 600 area students had the opportunity to connect face-to-face with manufacturing industry leaders on Oct. 5.
The fifth annual Think Manufacturing Career Expo at Wickliffe High School brought more than 30 manufacturers together to educate the community about various technical careers including engineering and advanced manufacturing.
Several companies including Apollo Manufacturing and Design, Avery Dennison, Dyson Corporation, Fives North American Combustion Inc., Lincoln Electric, Lubrizol, Mar-Bal, Inc., Suburban Manufacturing Co. and Swagelok, discussed job and internship opportunities.
In addition to the manufacturing industries, Auburn Career Tech Center, Kent State University and Lakeland Community College provided information about technical and engineering programs that will help students gain the necessary skills for these careers.
Marketing Specialist Keith Bales discussed the importance of manufacturers building relationships with schools and educators to recruit and attain future skilled workers.
He also talked to students about their career paths and discussed the opportunities that are available at Fives North American Combustion in Cleveland.
Students gathered information, listened to presentations, attended workshops and asked questions.
“This is a great experience for students,” said Riverside College and Career Readiness Coordinator Keith Manos.
Manos was pleased to see that Mar-Bal, Inc., a new manufacturer in Painesville, was present.
Mar-Bal recently opened a manufacturing facility in the Renaissance Business Park, an industrial park at Routes 2 and 44 in 2016.
Vince Profeta, who is the vice-president of product engineering and manufacturing, said he is excited to share information about the state-of-the-art facility, business expansion and career openings.
The annual manufacturing career expo is a collaborative effort between the three Lake County Chambers of Commerce — Willoughby Western, Mentor Area and Eastern Lake County—and the Alliance for Working Together, in Mentor.
The Alliance for Working Together’s mission is to promote the development of rewarding careers in manufacturing for the long-term success and growth of our manufacturing community.
According to its website, AWT works to create awareness and interest in manufacturing careers, to increase enrollment in training programs, to make sure curriculum for those programs is what manufacturers need and to make sure those in the industry have the support they need.
Willoughby Western Chamber of Commerce President Karen Tercek said the expo is a great opportunity to raise awareness about the numerous, local manufacturing opportunities.
Eastern Lake County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Linda Reed said was pleased with the turnout and said it gets bigger each year.