Event at Mentor High to Promote Manufacturing as a Career

Twenty companies and three area colleges will embark on Mentor High School Thursday with one objective — to get students to "Think Manufacturing."

Hosted by the Lake County Chambers of Commerce and the Alliance for Working Together, "Think Manufacturing," will be a free expo where high school students can learn more about the industry and consider a career within it. The event will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at the high school cafeteria.

"These are the companies and schools that are training the youth for manufacturing positions," said Karen Tercek, organizer and executive director of the Willoughby Area Chamber of Commerce. "It's the largest sector in Lake County, but manufacturers are having a hard time finding entry level people."

Each business and school will have its own booth, and many will be interactive. For example Astro Manufacturing of Eastlake, will bring along a simulator that demonstrates technology used in surgeries.

Organizers and area entrepreneurs believe most students don't think of creating biomedical products for top hospitals when the word "manufacturing" is brought. Instead, it's an antiquated image of the production of steel, iron and other things that don't augment billion-dollar industries like health care and defense.

"I think manufacturing has been given a bad rap," Tercek said. "If you go to a manufacturer today, they're clean, the technology is amazing, and they still need people who are strong in math and science skills, responsible people."

Tercek said some of the participating companies could have openings that might interest students who will soon graduate. She also encouraged students to consider companies that would reimburse them for college tuition if they want to go to work first.

"Our point is, not all young people are set up to go to a four-year instuition and even if you are but can't afford it, these are some really great opportunities," she said.

Here are some Mentor companies participating in the event:

• Competitive Carbride
• Component Repair Technologies
• Fredon Corp.
• Libra Industries
• Mold Masters International
• Polychem
• Roll Kraft
• Thermotion
• Volk Optical

Another incentive to go is a raffle drawing for a Samsung tablet.