Industry representatives and educators in targeted regions across the state have joined to help educate middle school students about the benefits of, and education opportunities for, pursuing careers in manufacturing in West Virginia.
“Explore the New Manufacturing” is a program of the West Virginia Manufacturers Educational Fund, or WVMAEF, that the West Virginia Manufacturers Association (WVMA) established in 2015 to help boost awareness of and interest in the manufacturing industry in West Virginia.
According to Rebecca McPhail, WVMA president, the campaign has several goals. “We want to increase student awareness of great career opportunities in manufacturing, and the ways in which they can get a quality education through the state’s Career and Technical Education programs,” she said.
Eighty eighth grade students at Sherrard Middle School in Wheeling talked with an Eagle Manufacturing representative May 31 about career opportunities at the school’s annual Career Fair. Scott Trimmer, an engineer at Eagle, showed the students some of their products and explained the 3D printing process the company uses at its facility in Wellsburg, W.Va.
One hundred fifty eighth graders from Horace Mann Middle School in Charleston met with representatives from Toyota Motor Manufacturing May 27 where they learned about manufacturing and participated in industry-focused activities.
Approximately 80 eighth grade girls from Winfield Middle School toured the Putnam County Career & Technical Center in Eleanor, W.Va., May 26 and learned about the education requirements and skillsets needed to better prepare them for high-paying manufacturing jobs in West Virginia. They also learned that many CTE programs in the state focus on teaching students practical manufacturing-based skills in areas such as automotive, robotics, drafting and welding.
According to Ali Finch, the counselor for the Putnam CTC, students in this program earn their certificates in two years typically. “In these programs students in simulated workplace learn while gaining real-world experience,” she said. “Graduates of these programs receive certifications like OSHA and other industry credentials that help leverage them as educated and skilled candidates for jobs.” Toyota Motor Manufacturing representatives presented to these students earlier this year as a part of a campaign targeted to young women about careers in manufacturing.
“Industry presentations, CTE program tours and career fairs are a few of the activities we are hosting in West Virginia,” McPhail said. “We welcome the participation of industry leaders who are willing to do presentations to middle schools, CTE program leaders who can offer tours for these students, and business leaders who can offer job shadowing opportunities and internships. We are open to opportunities to connect with students and teach them about these possibilities,” she said. “This industry offers high-paying and sustainable careers, and young people need to know they have these opportunities right here at home.”
Starting salaries for manufacturing careers in West Virginia typically are around $65,000 a year. About 10,000 students are currently enrolled in CTE programs in West Virginia.
