South Suburban High Schoolers to Get Up-Close Look at Manufacturing

CHICAGO HEIGHTS--South Suburban manufacturing businesses are coming together at Bloom High School in Chicago Heights to offer students a first-hand look at a field that helped build America.

On Tuesday, October 3, students from 18 schools across eight South Suburban districts will visit Bloom and hear from several manufacturing companies about the resurgence of industry and what it takes to enter the manufacturing field. Speakers at the event include Behr Paint Manufacturing Managers John Harmon and Matt Smith, as well as Prairie State College Dean of Career and Technical Education Janice Kaushal. Chicago Heights Mayor David A. Gonzalez is the keynote speaker.

After hearing from the businesses, students will split up to take tours of 22 participating manufacturing facilities including the Ford Motor Company Stamping Plant, F.H.Ayer Manufacturing. and Do-Rite Die & Engineering. Students will also visit Prairie State College’s manufacturing technology machine shop.

Students entering the manufacturing field need an impressive skillset, says Bloom Township High School District 206 Supt. Lenell Navarre.

“All careers in manufacturing require you to have a strong mechanical ability, computation skills, specialized and communication skills,” Navarre said, also highlighting the payoffs of entering the field. “Within each of these pathways exist numerous careers, many of which currently have high employability rates and will also provide strong preparation for future jobs not yet even in existence.”

For more information on the event, please contact:

Catrise Calone

708-755-1122 ext. 2204

CColone@sd206.org