To raise awareness about the availability and potential of manufacturing jobs, representatives from local manufacturers will be in the Morgan School making presentations during lunch hours on Friday, Oct. 7.

In 2019, the Economic Development Commission founded the Clinton Manufacturing Coalition (CMC) with the goal of strengthening the bond between manufacturing businesses in Clinton and the community. Many Clinton citizens might not even know that Clinton is home to several manufacturing companies that partake in advanced work. Part of that process of raising awareness has been finding ways to alert the school communities about options for well-paying local jobs that exist and are available for young people in town.

Bob Werner, who spearheads the CMC, said that Oct. 7 is National Manufacturing Day. As a celebration, Werner said the CMC and schools have partnered to have representatives from Clinton based manufactures in the Morgan School during lunch so that interested students can see possible career opportunities that don’t necessarily require college degrees.

Werner said he is still finalizing a list of what manufactures will send representatives.

“The idea is kids wander over and learn what is out there and maybe have a conversation with the representatives,” said Werner.

In the past, Werner has stressed that manufacturing jobs in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) can lead to fulfilling and quality careers. However, making sure students and their families know that the opportunities are out there that has been a struggle.

To help with that endeavor, the CMC has partnered with the schools to raise awareness about manufacturing careers. In particular, Werner said Morgan assistant Superintendent Marco Famiglietti has been a help.

“National Manufacturing Day seeks to raise awareness that over the next decade there will be over four million jobs available in this sector. The purpose of our open house is to raise awareness among Morgan students that there are great career opportunities that don't necessarily require a college degree right here in Clinton and throughout the shoreline area.,” said Famiglietti.

“Clinton Public Schools has made a commitment to partnering with our local manufacturers to give them the opportunity to showcase their companies while students are making decisions about life after high school. This event will be followed up in the spring with a more comprehensive Career Fair in which other sectors of prospective employers will be invited to meet with our students,” he added.

Werner said that the CMC started up in late 2019 with much enthusiasm, but then the COVID-19 pandemic slowed some planned initiatives down. ]

“We did keep talking during that time and we were able to come out of the pandemic pretty strong,” said Werner,

In fact, Werner said that an open house with manufactures in June was well attended and that the CMC plans on doing more events with the schools during the year.

“We are going to focus on events that get students and teachers and administrators that get people actually visiting the manufacturing companies. We also want to do a career day in the spring,” said Werner.