Students across Southwestern Ontario are getting a behind the scenes look at how manufacturing plants in the region operate.
Manufacturing Day is an opportunity for companies to expose high school students to jobs that require specialized skills, in the hopes they can recruit them for jobs later in life.
"Today is about opening the doors up and showing the students a little bit about how today's manufacturing is not the same as your grandfather's 30 or 40 years ago," says Chatham-Kent Economic Development Officer Geoff Wright.
Students from nine Chatham-Kent high schools took in tours at nine different manufacturing companies in the area, including Dajcor Aluminum, Windmill Cabinets, and AarKel Tool & Die. Wright adds the few manufacturers that stuck around during the 2008 recession are making a comeback.
"We affectionately call them our 'survivors.' The ones that are still here are hiring, adding new equipments and investments. They are expanding their facilities, they're investing in their companies and that paints a bright future for tomorrow," Wright adds.
Nearly 20 companies in Windsor-Essex are also taking part in the initiative, with students coming from Windsor, Leamington, Kingsville and other towns.
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