Greater Spokane Incorporated hosted its Business AfterSchool Manufacturing Week series by bringing area students, educators and parents into our local manufacturing community to provide a real-life look at the manufacturing industry, and the education and skills required to work in the field. This face-to-face experience provided students with a chance to see the application of STEM subjects brought to life in a high-tech world.
Seven businesses and more than 30 professionals hosted approximately 71 students, 17 teachers, and five parents for a two-hour workshop that provided an interactive experience and a tour of their manufacturing facilities. Workshop hosts included:
- BayShore System, Inc.
- Berg Companies, Inc.
- Caterpillar, Inc.
- Hotstart, Inc.
- Inland Empire Paper Company
- K & N Electric
- Wagstaff, Inc.
Today’s manufacturing is about advanced technologies, state-of-the-art facilities, and fast-paced work environments. One workshop host taught students about lean manufacturing by asking them to design a bicycle of Legos under a time constraint. Another workshop host designed a project that allowed students to build, test and troubleshoot a small electromagnet for a fictional client.
When asked why K & N Electric hosted a workshop, Michael Orr responded, “We greatly appreciate the opportunity to cast a vision for manufacturing and industry to the young minds of the Spokane area. We know the value of investing in our future employees is just as important as investing in our future customers.”
Learn more about the “business” of students exploring careers. Upcoming Business AfterSchool industry weeks are AgriBusiness (November 17-21) and Computer Science (December 8-12). To host a workshop, register a student, or learn more about this great program please visit BusinessAfterSchool.org
