Western Wyoming Community College, in partnership with Southwest Wyoming Manufacturing Partnership, hosted a Manufacturing Day event on Friday, October 7th.

It was the first time Manufacturing Day was held at the College. Students, educators, and community members had a chance to interact with area manufacturers, tour the labs as well as engage hands-on activities to spark their interest in advanced manufacturing. Regional business manager for Rocky Mountain Power and business champion for the Southwest Wyoming Manufacturing Partnership Ron Wild said the event is a good learning opportunity for the participating students.

 

The college and the partnership "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,” Wild said. “We want to provide citizens in the community with a career, a future to raise families and be a part of the community.” Western’s dean of outreach and workforce development, Amy Murphy, said hosting this type of event is important for the students who take part.

 

“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 manufacturers and the businesses that are 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. She also said that the event was held for 8th-12th grade students and over 800 students were expected to have been part of this. The following schools participated in the event:

 

- Carbon County Higher Education Center

- Evanston Middle School

- Expedition Academy High School

- Farson High School

- Green River High School

- Horizon Jr./Sr. High School

- Kemmerer Junior/Senior High School

- Lincoln Middle School

- Pinedale Middle School

- Rock Springs High School

 

“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.”