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Manufacturing Day 2017

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Flex/Cell Precision is one of a host of companies in Lancaster County participating in a national event known as Manufacturing Day. In fact, Lancaster County intends to make a week of it.

Nationally, Manufacturing Day is a project of the National Association of Manufacturers and aims to “inspire the next generation.” Always the first Friday in October, the event has grown to nearly 3,000 events involving more than a quarter-million students from every state. Last year, President Obama issued a proclamation declaring National Manufacturing Day.

The steering committee planning Lancaster’s event for 2017 believes the industry has outgrown one day. It’s putting together a schedule of events for students, educators, parents and community leaders.

Activities planned or under consideration include:

Field Trips: Students from all 16 school districts in Lancaster County are participating in tours of area manufacturers. The committee is considering developing a virtual field trip for students who remain at school, as well as parents and others.

Family Events: Some manufacturers are opening their doors to parents and interested community members, as well. In addition, Thaddeus Stevens will host a series of presentations for parents throughout the week.

Community Buzz: Look for public service announcements, media stories and more during the week. Join in the conversation at #LancasterMakes and #MFGDay17.

Women Recruting: A grant from the National Science Foundation is funding tours and information sessions at local companies for high school girls. The young women will tour Arconic, Flex/Cell, Dental EZ, Pepperidge Farm and Astro Machine Works, among others, as well as Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.

“The viability of Lancaster’s manufacturing sector directly impacts families in our community in many ways,” says Janel Cross, president of Align Financial Services Group and chair of the Manufacturing Day steering committee. “As a firm serving many manufacturing clients, we believe more families need to be made aware of the career and wage potential in manufacturing jobs here in the county in order to make more informed decisions about their educational paths.”

It’s not too late for businesses to participate! Contact Janel Cross or Jesse Steffy at Align Financial Services Group at 717.207.9230 or for more information.

For more information and scheduling updates, follow Lancaster Manufacturing Day on Facebook at Facebook.com/LancasterMakes.

Additionally, throughout the fall the Lancaster County Workforce Development Board is collaborating with business, community and education to host a series of “Redefining Career Success” technical career forums. These free career exploration fairs will feature local employers, training providers and skill developers showcasing the many high priority occupations found here in Lancaster County. The events will include workshops for parents of career/college-bound students, discussions with industry leaders, and a chance to win scholarships toward qualifying educational expenses at a local post-secondary institution.

Dates and locations for the events are as follows:

  • Wednesday, 9/20 – Garden Spot High School
  • Wednesday, 10/4 – Quarryville Library Center
  • Thursday, 10/12 – Ephrata Area High School
  • Thursday, 10/19 – HACC – Lancaster Campus – East 203
  • Thursday, 10/26 – Associated Builders and Contractors – Keystone Campus, Mt. Joy
  • Wednesday, 11/8 – Columbia High School Auditorium

All events are open from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., with workshops/breakout sessions from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. For more information, please visit the Lancaster County Workforce Development Board website at www.lancastercountywib.com.