Manufacturing Week Held in Shelby, Neighboring Counties

240 area students participated in Manufacturing Week tours this year in Shelby County and surrounding areas.

The tours were promoted and coordinated by “No Job Left Behind (NJLB)” a regional initiative that is bringing together educators and industry to discuss the need for a more skilled work force. Started in 2013, NJLB decided that the poor image of manufacturing jobs was one of the deterrents for job applicants and that it would be worthwhile to open the doors and show people that factory jobs can become successful careers.

Students from Arthur Lovington Atwood Hammond, Humboldt TLC, Okaw Valley, Shelbyville, Sullivan, Tuscola and Windsor toured regional plants the week of October 26-30. Participating businesses included Agri-Fab, Caterpillar, GSI-Assumption, Hydro-Gear, Justrite, Marvin Keller Trucking, MasterBrand, and Mid-State Tank.

This is the second year for the tours and the number of participating students has more than doubled. Students shared that they were impressed with modern manufacturing and “didn’t realize how many careers manufacturing offered”. Many felt that manufacturing would be a good fit as a future career and learned that “you don’t have to go to college to become successful”. Other interesting lessons learned: “they have remote control lawn mowers”, “that a 150 diameter grain bin holds 1,000,000 bushels, and that “welders can recognize their own work”. Many students were surprised at how much technology is used in the factories.

Okaw Valley Guidance Counselor, Jena Atchison stated, “The teachers were impressed and felt it was a good learning experience for both students and teachers.”

No Job Left Behind has been discussing the fact that most area employers are having trouble finding workers who have strong soft skills and are willing to work. This lack of labor limits a firm’s ability to expand and grow in central Illinois, something that all small towns would welcome. The lack of a ready work force also limits the chances of attracting new business to town.

Manufacturing Day was created by the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, and is meant to be a celebration of modern manufacturing to inspire the next generation of manufacturers. Although Manufacturing Day officially occurs on the first Friday in October, any day can be Manufacturing Day. According to the website, www.mfgday.com there are 2,559 Manufacturing Day events registered across the US.

For more information visit www.nojobleftbehind.com