College of the Canyons hosted a “Manufacturing Day” on Friday aimed to show local students the many different job opportunities available in the new world of work involving robotics, welding and advanced manufacturing at the interim Advanced Technology Center.
Seniors and juniors from Saugus High School, Golden Valley High School, Bowman, and Santa Clarita Valley International School were given tours at the interim ATC so they could get a glimpse of the possible career opportunities outside of traditional college degree.
In relation to advanced manufacturing, “all of our machines are production machines. This is exactly what they’re going to find when they go into industry. That makes us unique. It’s very rare. We have set it up just like you would have a setup in a production facility,” said Harriet Happel, COC’s dean of career education and integrative learning.
Students can possibly get jobs in the aerospace, automotive, and mass production industries just to name a few, she added.
“When our students complete with us, we can 100% say they are workforce ready.”
Students can complete the manufacturing course work at their own pace, Happel said. Some may finish in as little as a semester, while others may aim for four semesters and receive their associate’s degree.
Alicia Viera, William S. Hart Union High School District college and career readiness counselor, said many students were very surprised about the endless possibilities if they were to choose advanced manufacturing as their career focus, and how close those resources were in the Santa Clarita Valley.
“They were very fascinated,” she said, adding that the “new world of work” which includes those three areas of focus have become a higher interest in many students over the last few years.
“These advanced technology jobs, they’re right here in Santa Clarita. So it really gives our students the best advantage to realize that middle class dream. Wages that will support the purchase of a home, owning your car, sending your own children to college.”
