Manufacturing Day Welcomes High School Students on Oct. 2
Lisa McPheron
Director of Campus Communications
(714) 992-7014 | lmcpheron@fullcoll.edu
Program designed to expand knowledge of manufacturing, improve public perception of manufacturing career opportunities
FULLERTON (September 25, 2015) In celebration of Manufacturing Day 2015, Fullerton College will open its doors on Oct. 2, to more than 60 local high school students as part of an effort to change people’s perceptions about today’s manufacturing industry and draw attention to the many opportunities that a career in manufacturing can provide.
The day includes hands-on demonstrations by the machine technology and printing technology programs at Fullerton College and a tour of the MODRoto facility in La Mirada. The event is co-hosted by the Deputy Sector Navigator, OC Advanced Manufacturing/Center for Applied Competitive Technologies (CACT) at the North Orange County Community College District (NOCCCD) and in collaboration with Vital Link.
“There is an increasing demand for highly skilled professionals in the manufacturing sector who can design, program and operate technology,” said Norma Alvarado, DSN OC Adv. Mfg./CACT Director, with North Orange County Community College District. “The average age of a manufacturing employee is 56, and between now and 2020 there will be an unprecedented shortage of skilled workers who will need to be replaced.”
Fullerton College is one of many sites across the country that will be hosting events. Manufacturing Day is an annual event during which North American manufacturers open their doors to showcase the potential of modern manufacturing and foster interest in manufacturing careers. Modern manufacturing environments are commonly thought of as dark, dangerous factories designed for low-skilled workers. Manufacturing Day addresses this misperception by giving manufacturers an opportunity to open their doors and show, in a coordinated effort, what manufacturing really is today:
- Manufacturing is technologically advanced
- The annual average salary of manufacturing workers is more than $77,000
- Manufacturers have the highest job tenure in the private sector
- 90 percent of manufacturing workers have medical benefits
Fullerton College’s machine technology faculty will provide demonstrations on advanced manufacturing equipment. Machines running demonstrations will include of 2,3,4 and 5 axis CNC machining and turning centers along with CMM machines and Laser scanning inspection technologies. Printing technology faculty will demonstrate several printing processes, including screen printing, flexographic and digital printing. High school students will learn about the basic printing process and see examples of how the process of printing produces color images.
Students will also visit MODRoto in La Mirada, to see hands-on demonstrations of the manufacturing process. MODRoto designs and manufactures rotomolded plastic products for the laundry, recycling, material handling, lighting, pool/spa, event decor and other markets using the most sophisticated rotational molding system in the world. The company is a pioneer in the design and development of bulk carts, containers and other plastic products using rotational molding. Students will tour the facilities and see hands-on demonstrations of these machines and will meet the MODRoto President who will speak about career opportunities in the industry.
More information on Manufacturing Day is available at www.mfgday.com.
About Fullerton College
Originally enrolling 28 students in its first year in 1913, today Fullerton College boasts an enrollment figure of nearly 25,000. As one of five institutions of higher learning in Fullerton, it is an integral part of both the K-12 and higher education systems. Fullerton College offers a comprehensive educational program of lower division transfer courses and vocational training to prepare its students for further academic study as well as today’s technology-driven workforce.
About Deputy Sector Navigator OC Advanced Manufacturing/CACT
The California Community Colleges Doing What Matters industry-specific workforce services are coordinated by Deputy Sector Navigators who align community college and other workforce development resources with the needs of industry sectors that result in highly specialized industry training, technical consulting and business development. Advanced manufacturing businesses can access the Centers for Applied Competitive Technologies (CACT) that are dedicated to serving California’s advanced manufacturing and advanced technology companies with innovative solutions that are unique and customized to your business. Our grant programs and leveraged partnerships allow us to offer the most cost-effective workforce training and consultative services for California’s advanced technology businesses. For information, visit: www.makingitincalifornia.com
About Vital Link
Vital Link’s mission is to be the link between business and education to prepare students for the successful transition to a meaningful career. Vital Link‘s vision is that all students will graduate with an understanding of their career potential and through interactive programs expand their resources to select their future career. For information visit: http://vitallinkoc.org/
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