Students Gain Valuable Knowledge in Manufacturing Programs at Kirkwood
Manufacturing Tours Highlight Employment Opportunities in the Corridor
Cedar Rapids, Iowa (October 15, 2014)—Kirkwood Community College in collaboration with the Advanced Manufacturing Sector Board present the Advancing the Future tour of area manufacturing facilities throughout the corridor, October 20 – 23. Manufacturers will open their doors to educate and create interest in growing employment opportunities.
According to Iowa’s Advanced Manufacturing Consortium, there are more than 208,000 manufacturing jobs in the state. Today’s manufacturers offer high skilled positions with a lot of earning potential. In 2011, the Bureau of Economic Analysis reported the average manufacturing worker earned $77,060 annually, including pay and benefits. Yet a shortage of 6,672 skilled workers is projected by 2018.
Advancing the Future organizers report that last year’s participating manufacturers benefited through networking at the inaugural event. Several employees were recruited, while many enrolled in the advanced manufacturing and computer numerical control (CNC) programs available through Kirkwood.
Over 700 attended the Advancing the Future tour last year. Already 350 high school students are expected. Most of the 19 manufacturers participating are located in Cedar Rapids; however, tours will take place in North Liberty’s Centro, Coralville’s Integrated DNA, Kinze Manufacturing in Williamsburg and Bazooka Farmstar and Modine Manufacturing in Washington. Visit www.kirkwood.edu/advancingfuture for a complete list of participants, tour schedule and safety requirements.
Advancing the Future is free and open to the public. Tours will start approximately every 30 minutes during each company’s specified time frame, unless otherwise noted on the tour schedule posted on the aforementioned website. No advance reservation is required. Some companies have safety requirements.
This year’s Advancing the Future event will conclude with a job fair on Thursday, October 24, from 4 – 7 p.m. in Jones Hall on Kirkwood’s main campus. The fair will give job seekers the opportunity to learn about and apply for positions at 12 area-manufacturing companies.
*****EVENT*****
What: Advancing the Future Manufacturing Tour
When: October 20 – 23 (Kirkwood Job Fair for Manufacturers October 24, 4 – 7 p.m.)
Time: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Cost: FREE