On Friday, October 15, students from Hinckley-Finlayson, East Central, and Pine City Schools toured Pine Technical and Community College, MinPacK, and Atscott Manufacturing as a part of Manufacturing Month.
Pine City Industrial Technology teacher Tim Schlichting says students get to explore the career through classes at the high school, but events like this show what the job really looks like.
"People think that manufacturing is a dusty, dirty job and that is not necessarily the case anymore," Schlicting told WCMP. "There's a lot of new technology with CNC equipment where a lot of guys push a couple of buttons, watch the part, and put a new one in. It's a good career to get into; you can start without training whatsoever and work your way up."
Atscott's National Sales Engineer Jacob Kiel said the company was excited to show off what is happening in the student's own backyard.
"It's really important to have these sorts of events because we are a community-based business with a lot of families that work here. Exposing young people to manufacturing is essential for our future. We are trying to recruit new people and provide an understanding of what is going on right here in the neighborhood."
Both Atscott Manufacturing and Minpack showed students the products being made in Pine City that are then sent all over the world.
PTCC President Joe Mulford says he hopes students could learn about a career they haven’t witnessed firsthand.
"What we want to do is give exposure to students about potential careers," said Mulford.
Currently, Pine Technical and Community College is celebrating College Knowledge Month. They are holding events all month for students and community members alike to learn about the opportunities available to them. More information can be found on PTCC's website.
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