The executive director of the Nodaway County economic development corporation (NCED) reviews the annual manufacturing day event for eighth grade students.
Josh McKim says, "this is our long play (at NCED) in the workforce areas is trying to connect and help students understand opportunities at a young age" to possible careers.
Click the LISTEN button to hear Josh McKim's visit with KXCV-KRNW News Director Bill Oliver.
The students attend school districts that have an impact on area employers.
After the event, McKim says participating districts will be surveyed "to get what was beneficial, how we can improve, where are some things that you saw that maybe we didn't see that we can try to fix or things you want us to continue to do".
Employers are also surveyed, "to make sure that we're doing what they want us to do" "and gearing them towards the right setting and if there was anything that we need to address going forward."
News release from the Nodaway County economic development corporation:
Nodaway County celebrated its Eighth Annual Manufacturing Day on Friday, October 2, with approximately 165 eighth-grade students touring local industries and participating in hands-on activities designed to spark interest in manufacturing careers.
Students visited leading facilities, including Laclede Chain, DRIV/Tenneco, Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing, JL Houston, Houston Polytank, NUCOR-LMP, Mosaic Medical Center-Maryville, and United Electric. These tours gave students a firsthand look at the technologies, career opportunities, and skilled professionals supporting the local economy.
This year’s program also included interactive exhibits and activities at Northwest Missouri State University’s Hughes Fieldhouse, where students gathered for lunch and additional hands-on learning opportunities. Highlights included hands-on robotics through Alpha Robotics’ Yaskawa Academy and North Central Missouri College; CPR training with Northwest Technical School; vibration analysis demonstrations by Predictive Maintenance Technologies; and entrepreneurship resources from Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation. Together, these activities allowed students to see technology, innovation, and career opportunities in action.
“We’re excited to show students the dynamic opportunities available right here in Nodaway County,” said Josh McKim, executive director of Nodaway County Economic Development. “Manufacturing and other skilled industries are important parts of our local economy, and by connecting students with the businesses and organizations that support our community, we’re building a stronger workforce for the future and inspiring students to consider the opportunities available close to home.”
This year’s event was made possible thanks to the support of sponsors: Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing, JL Houston, Houston Polytank, NUCOR Wire Products of Missouri, Missouri Enterprise, Northwest Missouri State University, United Electric, and Maryville Industrial Development Corporation.
McKim also credited the event’s success to a strong coalition of partners who helped make the day possible: Greater Maryville Chamber of Commerce, Northwest Missouri State University Career Services, Northwest Regional Professional Development Center, Missouri Enterprise, Missouri Department of Economic Development, Missouri Division of Higher Education and Workforce Development, Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation, and Northwest Missouri Regional Council of Governments.
Nodaway County Manufacturing Day continues to highlight the important role of manufacturing and skilled careers in Nodaway County while introducing the next generation of workers to career opportunities available throughout the community.
