Manufacturing Day Event Hosts Over 600 Students and Educators
Western Wyoming Community College’s (Western’s) Outreach Department, in partnership with Southwest Wyoming Manufacturing Partnership (SWMP), hosted a Manufacturing Day event on Friday, October 6th.
This year’s event was Western’s second annual Manufacturing Day held at the College. Students, educators, and community members had a chance to interact with area manufacturers, tour the labs, as well as engage in hands-on activities to spark their interest in advanced manufacturing.
Regional business manager for Rocky Mountain Power and business champion for the SWMP, Ron Wild, said the event, “...is a good learning opportunity for the participating students. The College and the SWMP, "have partnered together to bring in as many of the industries that wanted to participate to try to increase the awareness of educational and employment opportunities intertwining and supporting each other. This is one of the goals for SWMP,” Wild said. “We want to provide as much career awareness in the community [as possible] so our future generation knows their potential.”
Western’s dean of Outreach and Workforce Development, Amy Murphy, said hosting this type of event is important for everyone who participated. Counselors and teachers have the chance to interact with employers to determine the type of careers available and what educational requirements align with those positions.
“Manufacturing Day is really important because it gives us an opportunity to celebrate and share how far manufacturing has come. In addition, this event provided the awareness of the various careers available within the field and that are available here in the community. It’s also helpful to understand what’s needed to get those careers and the education that goes along with it,” Murphy said.
The event was held for 8th-12th grade students and over 600 students were in attendance. The following schools participated in the event:
- Green River High School
- Kemmerer Junior/Senior High School
- Lincoln Middle School
- Lyman High School
- Pinedale Middle School
- Pinedale High School
- Rock Springs High School
- Skyline Academy
“The earlier you can educate them on what’s important to do and what classes they need to take in high school, the better. If they need to further their education, they know what the pathway to do that is,” Murphy said. “On behalf of education and industry, we have an obligation and responsibility to provide them with the possibilities, as well as the environment to learn and build the skills needed to be successful.”
Wild said that the event was also important for people that have already left high school.
“Regardless of what grade you’re in, even if you’ve graduated and you’re just raising kids, always continue your education," Wild said. "It’s only through additional education and learning that we can position ourselves for a better future.”
For more information on Western’s Manufacturing and Industry programs visit westernwyoming.edu/industry or contact Dean of Outreach and Workforce Development, Amy Murphy at 307-382-1616 or email amurphy@westernwyoming.edu.