May 18, 2018—Middlesex Community College hosted their annual Manufacturing Awareness Day on Wednesday, May 15, 2018, on the Middletown campus. The morning program welcomed more than 100 prospective high school students, current students, local adult education programs, as well as anyone from the public interested in the manufacturing industry.
Manufacturers in Connecticut are looking to replace thousands of aging workers in the next 10 years as companies work with students to mentor and transition them into this exciting and challenging field. To help answer this need, more than 20 local businesses also participated in a showcase, where representatives from the manufacturing industry displayed products and answered questions.
“I was pleasantly surprised to see that many of the students who stopped by our display were extremely engaged well beyond their years,” said Rebecca Scholz, human resources manager from Aerospace Drive Systems by Timken in Manchester. “They asked great questions about our company and recognized the importance of completing their high school degree in order to work in the field. We will definitely be back at this event next year.”
During the morning sessions, the student attendees split into rotating groups and heard discussions about engineering and manufacturing education as well as industry presentations from Middletown’s Pratt & Whitney and Wepco Plastics, Inc., from Middlefield.
Companies that participated in the industry showcase exhibit included Ametek/Zygo, ACT 3D Equipment and Services, Corru-Seals (Nicholsons), Data Mail, Hobson & Motzer, Inc., Kamatics, Holo-Krome Inc., Midstate Electronics, MW Industries, Pratt & Whitney, Ripley Tools, Rogers Manufacturing Co., Timken Aerospace Drive Systems, Tomz Corporation, United Tool & Die Company, Wepco Plastics, Inc., and Workforce Alliance.
“I’m interested in math and science and taking a shop class now,” said Jayquan of Middletown, a Vinal Tech student who attended the sessions. “I liked hearing about from the plastic molding company as well as toolmaking and engineering.”
To learn more about MxCC’s manufacturing programs, visit https://mxcc.edu/manufacturing/
