Chamber hosts annual manufacturing day
Todd Johnson, vice president of manufacturing at Organic Technologies, spoke to students who attended the manufacturing day, hosted by the Coshocton County Chamber of Commerce.
COSHOCTON – The Coshocton County Chamber of Commerce hosted its second annual manufacturing day for students in the county on Friday, Oct. 5. Students who were interested in manufacturing careers were invited to tour locations in the county that offered a job in their specific career interest. Those who participated were Organic Technologies, Jones Metal, Annin Flag Co., McWane Ductile, and AK Steel. Schools who participated where the Coshocton County Career Center, Ridgewood, Coshocton, and River View.
“We loved it and our kids loved it,” said Darcy Nelson, Coshocton High School counselor. “It’s a hands-on experience and the kids can see the ends of their high school education. It’s career exploration for them.”
The Coshocton High School students explored Annin Flag Co. in the morning and then traveled to Jones Metal.
“We wanted to make sure all of our students knew about the wide variety of career paths in the county,” said Nelson. “Jobs are available right here in Coshocton County and there are different types of jobs at each location.”
Education level was also discussed and students learned that they could start certain jobs right after high school and some required a two to four year degree.
Camron Arron is a senior at Coshocton High School and was hoping to get into a manufacturing job after serving his country.
“I enlisted in the army in April,” said Arron. “After high school, I’m leaving for basic training. This is more like a day to show the different selections in the county. Even if I don’t find something after I get out of the army, I’m still planning on coming back to Coshocton.”
Ridgewood High School spent the morning at Organic Technologies and then after lunch, headed over to Annin Flag.
“Being one of the long-time manufacturing companies here in Coshocton, we thought it would be important to participate,” said Samantha Shell, executive assistant at Organic Technologies who helped coordinate the day. “We wanted people to know they could start work right out of high school and work their way up.”
Todd Johnson, vice president of manufacturing, gave the company overview and the history of the company to the students. They were also able to tour the facility and listened to two long-time employees talk about the various positions they’ve held since coming to Organic Technologies. David Wylie, CEO, also spoke about manufacturing, economics and how it’s important to stay local.
“They’re [the students] definitely the next generation of manufacturers,” said Shell. “We wanted to show them there are quality jobs here in Coshocton County. There are viable companies here to work for. They don’t need to move out of the area to find quality jobs.”
Coshocton CARES director, Brian Crilow also toured the manufacturing companies with the students from Ridgewood.
“The goal is to expose them to different options and once they graduate, they may not need to involve college,” he said. “There are other careers out there that they can earn a lot of money and they’re willing to train on the job. There’s a demand in Coshocton County for manufacturer employees.”
The metal fab and construction students from the career center visited Organic Technologies after lunch.
“We just wanted to expose them to what employers’ expectations are and the big thing is, they hear from the school so much, but hearing it from community personnel, it’s important,” said Eddie Dovenbarger, principal of the career center. “They’re telling them the same thing we are, but we figured they would listen to them more than school. Soft skills are so critical to employers. These students have great skills to offer employers, but if they don’t have soft skills, they have nothing. If they have those soft skills, the companies can teach them on the job.”
Lunch was provided to the students through grant money. They also received t-shirts to wear using grant money, and COTC provided bags to each student with information, sunglasses, safety goggles, and stress balls.
“Exposing the students to the opportunities available within our community is very meaningful,” said Amy Stockdale, executive director of the chamber, “and can lead to employment opportunities, which is a win-win for the community.”
Category: Business
