Sonoma County manufacturers reach out to students on industry’s career appeal

Local manufacturing facilities recently opened their doors to 40 students from Cloverdale, Windsor, Santa Rosa and Rancho Cotate high schools as part of an effort to showcase the range of local career opportunities available in manufacturing.

On Oct. 6, students toured facilities at Viavi Solutions and Amy’s Kitchen, explored the makerspace and machining shop at Santa Rosa Junior College, engaged with industry professionals in career pathway discussions, and took part in hands-on learning activities at 180 Studios, the new community makerspace in Santa Rosa.

Manufacturing Day brought together education and industry leaders to inspire the next generation of Sonoma County manufacturers and to raise public awareness of the diversity and economic importance of local manufacturers.

“The manufacturers of Sonoma County provide a wide range of employment and career opportunities to its residents,” said Bill Oakes, chair of the North Bay Society of Manufacturing Engineers, one of the event’s leading partners. “A vibrant and growing manufacturing sector within the North Bay provides a healthier standard of living for people of all educational backgrounds.”

Other partners included Medtronic, CamelBak, Six Sigma, Straus Family Creamery, Keysight Technologies, Small Precision Tools, P & L Specialties, EMG Pickups, Max Machinery, and the North Bay Leadership Council.

Manufacturing Day is an annual national event executed at the local level and supported by thousands of manufacturers as they host students, teachers, parents, job seekers and other local community members at open houses, plant tours and presentations designed to showcase modern manufacturing technology and careers.

2017 MFG Day Sonoma County was launched by the Sonoma County Office of Education, Career Technical Education Foundation, and Sonoma County Economic Development Board.