October is Manufacturing Month, and on Tuesday the Washoe County School District (WCSD) celebrated Manufacturing Day with students.
WCSD celebrated students, teachers and community partnerships helping its Industry-Aligned Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs thrive during National Manufacturing Month. These classroom programs allow access to internships, apprenticeships and hands-on work opportunities enabling students to explore their talents and create pathways to careers.
Educators told us this is a great way to show students what's out there in the work force when they finally finish school.
“They can see exactly what’s being built and being made in Nevada and especially in Washoe County," said Tom Conley, the Department Leader and Manufacturing Teacher at Reed High School. "They get those in’s they can really train for and know what positions might be available for them in the future.”
Manufacturing is huge in Nevada right now and it's one of our biggest growing industries. Growing industries means a growing need for employees, which is where these programs come into place.
“[These programs are] making that connection between manufacturers and the schools, the community colleges, and the colleges," he said. "Making sure we have that pipeline of people who are ready to work and ready to come out into a good paying nice facility job like manufacturing offers.”
On Tuesday, industry workers visited Hug High School, Sparks High School and Reed High School.
“I watched their faces, and they were inspired they were amazed to see the direct alignment we have from our equipment our curriculum and the need,” said Kathie Smith, the Career and Technical Education Coordinator for the WCSD.
Educators said having hands on training is the most intriguing for of education for students to explore manufacturing jobs.
“Their programs are teaching the students the skillsets they need from design all the way to G-Coding on a machine,” Smith said. "We’re giving them the skillsets that they need to prepare them for any job that they choose to go into.”
