October is National Manufacturing Month. Many companies and firms celebrated their appreciation for the industry through various initiatives.
In Northern Kentucky, local growth organizations have placed heavy emphasis on expanding the region’s advanced manufacturing sector. To help facilitate this growth, institutions like BE NKY Growth Partnership, NaviGo Career & College Prep and Gateway Community & Technical College hosted tours, seminars and institutions throughout October to pique students’ interest in manufacturing and dispel misconceptions about the industry.
Northern Kentucky’s advanced manufacturing workforce is expected to grow nine percent from 2020 to 2025. In the past three years alone, more than 1,600 jobs were created in this sector, according to data from BE NKY. Despite this growth, companies around the region have struggled to fill many of the available open jobs.
“Hiring continues to be a top challenge for NKY companies, including those in manufacturing,” BE NKY Workforce Development Manager Kim Spreder said in a press release. “It’s vitally important that young people are exposed to these future career opportunities.”
Going forward, regional nonprofits and companies are investing more resources into recruiting young people into the advanced manufacturing sector.
Northern Kentucky manufacturing firms opened their doors to students from 16 Northern Kentucky schools for National Manufacturing Month.
NaviGo Career & College Prep Director of Work-Based Learning Lorraine O’Moore helped organize 22 tours to help familiarize the students with the local manufacturing industry.
The tours were designed to give student participants firsthand experience of what it is like working in the manufacturing industry. It also gives company representatives opportunities to build talent pipelines inside the schools. Participating companies included Walton-based aerospace manufacturer Safran.
In total, over 500 students participated in the tours- approximately double last year’s number, according to a BE NKY Growth Partnership press release. Since starting in her role four years ago, O’Moore said she has personally seen student’s attitudes regarding manufacturing careers.
“I think the mentality is beginning to change because of exposure,” she said.
On Oct. 6 – National Manufacturing Day – the Florence-based roofing insulation manufacturer Holcim Building Envelope hosted 22 eighth-grade students from St. Paul Catholic School in Florence.
In addition, Gateway Community & Technical College hosted 11 manufacturing companies and 141 students from nine different Northern Kentucky high schools at their Boone County and Urban Metro campuses.
Through NKY FAME – an advanced manufacturing technician program run through Gateway – students had the opportunity to spend time working for a manufacturing firm and receive paid working experience.
Gateway’s Dean of Manufacturing & Transportation Technology Sam Collier, described Gateway’s involvement in National Manufacturing Month as a “huge win”.
“Our manufacturing industry plays a crucial role in the growth of our region,” Collier said. “It gives students the opportunity to witness firsthand the impact and potential of the industry. By bridging the gap between education and industry, we can successfully prepare the next generation of manufacturing professionals.”