Manufacturing Month Highlights Partnerships for Area K-12 Students
Interest from advanced manufacturing companies remains high in the Jacksonville region with recent expansion and relocation announcements from such companies as Pella, Ecoco and Comarco Products, to name a few. While there are many factors for their decisions to invest in the region, our highly skilled workforce and commitment to education and training play a large part in the process.
As manufacturing is a vital industry for the state, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared October Manufacturing Month by issue of a proclamation in conjunction with national recognition of the industry and activities taking place.
In Jacksonville, First Coast Manufacturers Association (FCMA), JAXUSA Partnership and CareerSource Northeast Florida are joining forces to celebrate the industry this month and help in the development of the next generation of manufacturing talent by working with the region’s K-12 school districts. More than 25 leading local manufacturers, including BAE Systems, Rulon International, Collins Aerospace, Fleet Readiness Center and Saft, are opening their doors to students, parents and teachers to inspire and showcase the diverse career opportunities available in the industry.
By arranging these activities, manufacturers in the region are given the opportunity to address the skills gap, connect with future generations, apprise the public perception of the industry and ensure its prosperity.
“The next frontier of manufacturing in the United States is upon us, and now, more than ever, we need the next generation of creators to join our workforce,” said Lake Ray, president of FCMA.