Area students to gain insight from manufacturers about professional trades careers on October 6 during Manufacturing Day at Bay College West

Manufacturing Day brings together ninth-grade students from area schools to interact with local manufacturers and learn about professional trade careers.

“Our goal in bringing together students and area employers is to shift perceptions about what it means to work in the professional trades upon graduating high school,” shared Lois Ellis, director of the Dickinson Area Economic Development Alliance (The Alliance). “We expect 300 students from Kingsford, Iron Mountain, North Dickinson, Niagara and Norway to be in attendance.”

Manufacturing Day is a national program by The Manufacturing Institute to engage students, parents, educators, and community partners to raise awareness of manufacturers’ vital role in many communities and states across the United States.

Locally, The Alliance, Bay College West, Dickinson-Iron ISD Tech Center, Michigan Works, and local manufacturers are leading the charge to raise awareness of all the possibilities for high-quality manufacturing careers with students and parents in the Dickinson area.

“Those working in the professional trades play a crucial role in the health of our local economy. We need to shift perspectives about what successful careers look like,” remarked Ellis.

Manufacturing Day is one opportunity for students to explore working in the professional trades. Students will also learn about the dual enrollment educational paths through the Dickinson-Iron ISD Tech Center and Bay College.

For more information and facts about professional trades careers, visit www.daeda.org/shift.

Manufacturing day at Bay College West with area manufacturers and schools gives students insight into professional trades careers in manufacturing

The Alliance’s new program SHIFT aims to raise awareness of professional trades careers

Iron Mountain, Mich., (September 30, 2022) – The Dickinson Area Economic Development Alliance joins Bay College West, the Dickinson-Iron ISD Tech Center, Michigan Works, and local manufacturers in marking Manufacturing Day on Friday, October 7. The event brings together ninth-grade students from area schools to interact with local manufacturers to learn about careers in the professional trades.

“After two years of virtual Manufacturing Day activities, we are thrilled to be meeting in person again at Bay College West,” remarked Lois Ellis, director of The Alliance. “We expect 300 students from Kingsford, Iron Mountain, North Dickinson, Niagara and Norway to be in attendance.”

This event is the first under The Alliance’s new SHIFT Professional Trades Careers program. The SHIFT program’s purpose is to raise awareness of the available career paths in the professional trades that are available to individuals upon graduation from high school.

“Our goal with SHIFT is to not only raise awareness of the outstanding opportunities at area employers but also to help students understand that they can have a successful career without attending a four-year university,” shared Ellis. “Those working in the professional trades play a crucial role in the health of our local economy. We need to shift perspectives about what a successful career looks like after high school graduation.”

Manufacturing Day is one opportunity for students to explore working in the professional trades. Students will also have an opportunity to learn about the available educational paths through the Dickinson-Iron ISD Tech Center and Bay College to earn while they learn.

More information about SHIFT and facts about professional trades careers are available at www.daeda.org/shift.