BLUFFTON, IN – Area 18 CTE Cooperative will host its first ever “Manufacturing Begins with Me Camp” from 8 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. May 17 at Bluffton High School.
The hands-on day camp is for middle school students in 7th and 8th grades.
Six similar camps have been held throughout northeast Indiana in the last three years. Five camps, including Bluffton’s, are planned for 2025.
The Manufacturing Begins with Me Camp will provide students with a new vision and opportunity for a career choice. Manufacturing in Adams, Blackford, Jay and Wells counties has been crucial to a robust economy. Regionally, manufacturing is the largest employing industry.
Introducing students to the skilled opportunities that exist gives them a clearer understanding of manufacturing. With the shortage of workers, investing in our students’ understanding of careers and dispelling myths is important to their selection process of a career. Other considerations in entering manufacturing fields are the growth potential of students’ skills and the industry’s sustainable living wages.
Camp partners include: Northeast Indiana Works, Ivy Tech, Vincennes University, Purdue University Fort Wayne, Adams Wells County Manufacturing Alliance, Star Engineering & Machining, Bluffton-Harrison Metropolitan School District, Area 18 CTE Cooperative, the Don Wood Foundation, and the economic development corporations of Adams and Wells counties.
“We’ve found that students who attend these camps thoroughly enjoy the experience, are extremely engaged in the activities, and some come away considering a manufacturing career,” said Edmond O’Neal, President and CEO of Northeast Indiana Works.
Area 18 CTE Cooperative Director Celeste Lewis said: “Area 18 is proud to be sponsoring the Manufacturing Begins with Me Camp this year. It is a pleasure to provide our 7th and 8th grade students with an opportunity to engage with postsecondary instructors, secondary instructors and manufacturers throughout Area 18.
“The true gain here is for students to understand the importance manufacturing can have, not only for the production of goods, but a viable career in an industry that is on the cutting edge of technology and is the foundation of our economy.”
Students interested in participating in the day camp can register at: https://form.jotform.com/250285822435154
About the Area 18 CTE Cooperative:
Area 18 Career Cooperative is a collaborative partnership between the school districts in Adams, Blackford, Jay and Wells counties to promote the opportunities within Career and Technical Education. Through this cooperative, students can gain dual credits, certifications, and work-based learning experiences through a variety of pathways. Please check your local high schools’ websites for the CTE programs they provide.