Creators Wanted – Inspiring the Next Generation of Manufacturers
Held annually in October, Manufacturing Day helps show the reality of modern manufacturing careers by encouraging companies and educational institutions to open their doors to students, parents & teachers. Thank you to our Workforce Development Committee for taking up this initiative to begin to solve our workforce talent problem on the First Coast!
Educator Resources
If you are interested in connecting with a manufacturing company for a tour this year, please let our FCMA staff know so we can facilitate the contact with a participating manufacturer. Please see below for resources both locally and across the state, including lesson plans.
Northeast Florida Resources
- Introductory Video from FCMA
- Manufacturing Day Webinar
- Manufacturing Career Pathways – visit Earnup.org under Career Pathways – Manufacturing
State Resources
Florida Advanced Technological Education (FLATE) has provided resources at no cost to educators for use before or after your tours. Find more here.
Manufacturers who have participated: JZ Logistics, Rayonier, Symrise, Carlisle IT, Veritas Steel, Grace Aerospace, Dupuy, Commercial Metals Company, Rulon International, Vac-Con, Kaman, BAE Systems, IFF, Q-Pac, Miller Electric, Flat Glass Distributors, S&P, Sally Corp, US Gypsum, Collins Aerospace, Solar Stik, Fleet Readiness, Medtronic, Flight Star
Schools who have participated: Robert E Lee High School, Andrew Jackson High School, St Johns County – Creekside, Orange Park High School, Yulee High School, Clay High School, Baker County High School, Allen Nease High School, Middleburg High School, Keystone Heights Jr/Sr High, Frank H Peterson Academies of Technology, A. Philip Randolph, Fernandina Beach High School, Pedro Menendez, Putnam County School District, Sandalwood High School, Fleming Island High School, Ridgeview High School, Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, St Johns Technical High School, St Augustine High School, Mandarin High School
Northeast Florida Company Features
- BAE Systems – Jacksonville Ship Repair Video
- Carlisle Interconnect Technologies Presentation
- Grace Aerospace Video
- Fleet Readiness Center Southeast Video
- Rulon International
Manufacturing, Measuring & Math
FloridaMakes – Florida Advanced Technological Education Center (FLATE) challenged institutions such as ours to create a project that increases awareness of manufacturing careers, pathways and earning potential with high school seniors. Manufacturers from the First Coast Manufacturers Association, including Vac-Con and Kaman Aerospace, along with several partners including Remedy Staffing, Templeton Manufacturing Solutions, Career Source NEFL, and JAXUSA Partnership collaborated and came up with Manufacturing, Measuring and Math.
One of the skills job seekers often lack is how to use a tape measure. The team set out to create a curriculum which allowed area manufacturers to teach a lesson in measurement to high school math classes, ideally those with a large percentage of seniors who may be seeking to enter the workforce following high school graduation. The curriculum would provide instruction on proper use of a tape measure as well as emphasize the importance of this skill on entry level jobs. Students are given tape measures to continue practice outside of the classroom. This real world, hands-on approach was intended to serve as a pilot project that could be replicated throughout the region.
Fletcher High School in the Duval County Public School system was selected for the pilot. The overall goal was projected to reach 200 students in a total of 5 classroom periods among 2 teachers, showing an improvement in measurement scores following the Manufacturing, Measuring and Math activity and presentation. Over 240 students were reached during 7 classroom periods with an improvement in scores.
Fletcher High School teachers Ebun Bolujo and Sandy Simpson permitted the team to present to their classrooms. Students were given a warmup activity, engaged in an activity in which they measured scrap components from a Kaman Aerospace, given a cool down activity to gauge progress, and learned about the industry via a PowerPoint presentation. The presentation highlighted demand, wage trends, success stories, and total compensation package information.
The project team intends to involve additional manufacturers and schools throughout the region to expand the Manufacturing, Measuring and Math project’s reach. Ultimately, the team wishes to increase connectivity between schools and companies and expand the awareness of career pathways within the industry.