It’s no secret that manufacturers must leave no stone unturned when it comes to attracting young people in to the field.
Alcoa (IW 1000/198) understands this and through its program Manufacture Your Future, which is a collaboration with Discovery Education, is reaching out to middle and high school students.
What better way to attract the younger generation than using the tools that this generation lives by. The Manufacture Your Future LIVE Virtual Field Trip will occur at a high-tech aluminum manufacturing facility, which has produced lightweight metal and other materials for every American space vehicle, helping to make many milestones possible, including the first moon landing.
During the Virtual Field Trip, students will have the exclusive opportunity to tour Alcoa's Davenport facility to see how products for major aircrafts are manufactured, including the wings of Air Force One. The tour will also showcase the company's new revolutionary Auto Treatment Line, which enables mass production of aluminum for cars—a growing trend in reducing vehicle weight for increased fuel efficiency.
"According to The Manufacturing Institute, more than one in seven U.S. private sector jobs depend on the U.S. manufacturing base," said Esra Ozer, president, Alcoa Foundation. "We are thrilled to showcase several of these jobs, which are held by talented members of Alcoa's Davenport team -- a Metallurgical Engineer, Electrical Engineer and Process Specialist. Their passion and enthusiasm for their manufacturing careers will be inspiring for tomorrow's workforce."
In addition to the virtual field trip, Alcoa Foundation and Discovery Education Manufacture Your Future program provides middle and high school educators, guidance counselors, students and families with a comprehensive online site that includes hands-on resources to build excitement around post-secondary manufacturing career opportunities.
The program encourages the development of critical thinking skills through real-world application, offers dynamic standards-based, Science Technology Engineering and Math-focused lesson plans, career guides, family discussion starters and other online resources that provide insight into today's advanced manufacturing careers and highlight the crucial role that manufacturing plays in day-to-day life. Hope Street Group, The Manufacturing Institute, and SME Education Foundation provided expertise.
"Giving students the opportunity to look inside a facility makes manufacturing come to life," said Mark Case, teacher at Southern Guilford High School, Guilford County Schools, NC. "An event like this creates a stronger impression than getting the information from a textbook. Students can see how information we provide in the classroom translates into a career path."
Check out IndustryWeek's complete coverage of Manufacturing Day 2014.
