The Workforce Initiative: Manufacturing Week
11 September 2019
We recorded today’s show from the board room of Frederick County Economic Development Authority where we had a conversation with Sally Michaels from FredCo EDA and George Hoddinott, Business Retention/Expansion Manager for Winchester Economic Development about The Workforce Initiative.
The mission of The Workforce Initiative is to foster partnerships that support workforce opportunities and career journeys. This is accomplished through a number of programs. Today, we talked about one of those programs: Manufacturing Week. Students from middle and high schools in Winchester, Frederick County, and Clarke County, visited over 20 area manufacturers to learn about career opportunities. Businesses host Open Door Tours and manufacturing partners attend invitation-only events. The week kicks off on Monday, September 30, 2019 and runs through Saturday, October 5, 2019. You can download the flyer here: MFG Week 2019
We also touched on the Worlds of Work Expo that’s happening on Friday, September 27, 2019 and discussed a few of the new additions to this year’s event. The biggest of which is that the event is open to the public this year from 3pm – 5pm. Worlds of Work Expo is a career exploration event managed by Lord Fairfax Community College Career Pathways Consortium, in partnership with Barrett Machine, Inc., Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission, Frederick County Economic Development Authority, and Winchester Economic Development Authority.
Over a two day period, WoW! hosts nearly 3,000 seventh grade students from the region. More than 70 businesses showcase equipment, vehicles, and machinery that students climb into, fix, and manipulate. There are also animals students can touch and care for as well as life-like mannequins they might splint and stitch. The event is designed to be a hands-on exploration of possible careers.
Find more information about WoW! on their website: https://www.explorethewow.com/
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