Workforce Initiatives
DEVELOPING FUTURE WORKFORCE
Experience the power of collaboration with Manufacturers Resource Center (MRC) as we join forces with schools, industry leaders, and area stakeholders to ignite innovation in education!
Manufacturers Resource Center works collaboratively with schools, industry, and area stakeholders to create innovative programs that feature technical careers and STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) and technical education to students, parents, and educators. The purpose of MRC Workforce Initiative youth engagement programs is to improve the talent pool of students pursuing technical skills and increase the number of students interested in the STEM careers so that projected workforce demands and opportunities at area manufacturing companies are filled with the right skilled employees.
WHAT’S SO COOL ABOUT MANUFACTURING® STUDENT VIDEO CONTEST
What’s So Cool About Manufacturing® (WSCM) is a video-based educational tool created by a consortium of partners led by MRC in 2013 that increases awareness of career paths and technology in manufacturing through “peer marketing”, kids telling kids what’s so cool about manufacturing jobs. The program is executed as a dynamic student video contest between 7th and 8th grade student teams.
PA DREAM TEAM
The PA Dream Team career exploration program is an innovative ambassador program. MRC trains young STEM professionals at area manufacturers to share their career and life stories to K-12 students using PowerPoint presentations and hands-on activities. The most effective way to expose area students to STEM careers, technology, and modern manufacturing environments is by meeting young successful employees who work in the field.
MRC created the PA Dream Team program in the Lehigh Valley in 2016. The program expanded to Berks County in 2021 and launched in Schuylkill County in 2023. The expansion of MRC’s PA Dream Team program continues throughout central and eastern PA.
Dream Team member career stories include a description of their job, their company, their educational choices, their lifestyle, and how they are making a difference through their career choice. PA Dream Team members are employees mostly under the age of 30 working at area manufacturing companies. By serving on a collaborate and innovative ambassador team, they help unlock interest among students to consider similar STEM careers.
INSIDE MANUFACTURING SERIES
Manufacturers Resource Center partnered with PBS39 to create an online video series, “Inside Manufacturing”. Very few have seen what advanced manufacturing facilities look like on the inside.
The Inside Manufacturing (IM) Series opens the doors to Lehigh Valley companies revealing the technology, career opportunities and modern work environments that are characteristic of today’s manufacturing companies.
Each one-minute video was edited and created using the What’s So Cool About Manufacturing® Student Video Contest footage filmed by area middle school students. For years Lehigh Valley students have researched area companies to find out what a job is like in manufacturing and to showcase their discoveries to their peers through media presentation.
Interested in opening your doors for a private tour with area high school students? Contact Karen Buck, karen.buck@mrcpa.org
COOL RESOURCES FOR MANUFACTURERS, PARENTS, STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS
Explore WhatSoCool.org, a website brimming with invaluable resources. Whether you’re a student seeking exciting career prospects, an educator striving to enhance your teaching arsenal, or a family eager to support your child’s educational journey, this platform has got you covered. Delve into the extensive collection of resources designed to empower students with comprehensive insights into manufacturing careers. Furthermore, if you represent a manufacturing company, WhatSoCool.org also provides guidance on how your organization can actively contribute to the growth and development of the industry.
MANUFACTURING DAY
Manufacturing Day is a celebration of modern manufacturing meant to inspire the next generation of manufacturers. Although Manufacturing Day officially occurs on the first Friday in October, Manufacturers Resource Center encourages area manufacturers to open their doors during the month of October for tours with local high school students.
Are you interested in partnering with area schools?
Contact Karen Buck, Director of Workforce Initiatives:
Email: karen.buck@mrcpa.org
