Freshman Manufacturing Day

High school freshman from Sault Ste. Marie to Engadine joined the Eastern Upper Peninsula Intermediate School District for the first-ever “Freshman Manufacturing” day at Lake Superior State University on Friday, October 18, 2019. This inaugural event gave students a day to explore local career opportunities with hands-on presentations led by area manufacturing firms. Several career paths were represented by these companies, from welding to robotics, and each showcased the work they do, answered student questions, and led interactive activities that gave students a feel for what the field has to offer.

 

"Our company was excited to be part of an event that introduced students to the possibilities in manufacturing careers at the earliest stage of their high school education,” said Dr. Christopher Griffen of Great Lakes Composites. “It brought a unique opportunity to demonstrate the field of composites, material technologies, and STEM education as key elements supporting future manufacturing products and processes. The level of enthusiasm from the students made this a day we will be supporting in future years."

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Freshman Manufacturing Day is one of the many ways the EUPISD works to prepare students for life post-graduation. They offer extensive CTE opportunities that allow them to gain hands-on experiences and employable skills that help them build a competitive, professional resume while still in high school. These pathways allow students to graduate from high school with opportunities in high-demand fields, where their education can furthered through paid apprenticeships and on-the-job training.

 

“It was great to expose over 350 ninth grade students to exciting careers in manufacturing,” said Tammy Rutledge, Career Technical Administrator of the EUPISD. “The goal of the event was to bring local manufactures and students together.  This allowed students the opportunity to work first-hand with employers to learn more about career opportunities in CTE and STEM.”

 

Freshman Manufacturing Day is a collaboration between the EUPISD, MichiganWorks! is UPward, the Eastern Upper Peninsula Region MiStem Network, Northern Initiatives, the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center, LSSU, and the Sault EDC.

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If you are a manufacturing entity, or work in a skilled trade and would like to be a part of this event in the future, please contact us at the information below.