Businesses, community members and students are coming together in Santa Clarita to celebrate National Manufacturing Day.
The event, which started on Thursday and continues today, is intended to inspire Santa Clarita’s up-and-coming workforce on the opportunities in modern manufacturing and debunk the myths of the old days, according to Sue Arellano, Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation’s manager for business assistance.
More than 500 registered for the free presentation hosted by Jeremy Bout, producer and host of the Edge Factor, and panel featuring representatives from Advanced Bionics, Aerospace Dynamics Inc., B&B Manufacturing, Stratasys Direct Manufacturing and Technifex.
“The fact that it is being MC’ed by Jeremy Bout is another factor that will instill some excitement in the kids,” Arellano said. “He turns manufacturing information into storytelling in a way that is more exciting for youth today.”
The panel is meant to bring community stakeholders together to hear from local businesses about the work they are doing with modern technologies like automated methods and additive manufacturing, an industrial version of 3D printing.
Arellano said these companies provide new kinds of career development pathways for youth in the community.
“There’s a wealth of learning opportunities both through career pathways available and through on-the-job training for our emerging workforce for lifelong career opportunities that don’t necessarily require a four-year degree,” she said.
To further inspire the community’s youth, students in Hart’s Advanced Technologies Pathway and Robotics will tour one of a dozen volunteering manufacturing company partners in the city.
Dave Caldwell, public relations officer for the Hart District, said the district is focusing on one main topic during the two-day event: opportunity.
“Our hope is that students will realize there are so many opportunities for themselves in advanced technologies, which is new way they’re branding manufacturing,” Caldwell said. “There’s so much more to it today than there ever was.”
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