Industry leaders meet with future workforce during Advanced Manufacturing Day

October 2, 2019 – The future of advanced manufacturing filled the Davidson County Community College courtyard on October 2. The annual Advanced Manufacturing Day event brought together local businesses and employers with the next generation of their workforce.

The event is dedicated to creating space for modern manufacturing companies to showcase the businesses, career pathways and employment opportunities available in their industry to students.

“Advanced Manufacturing Day is about building connections,” Rodney Reece, associate dean of Business, Engineering and Technical Studies, said. “Students are directly engaging with their futures. They can visualize that future standing directly in front of them, and local businesses are strengthened in connecting to their future skilled workforce.”

In addition to participating DCCC students, the event brought 300 high school students to learn more about career pathways. These upperclassmen were comprised of students interested in advanced manufacturing careers from Davidson County high schools, Lexington City High School and Thomasville City High School.

DCCC faculty provided tours and demonstrations of the welding, machining and manufacturing labs on the Davidson campus.

“There’s a lot of good stuff out there,” South Davidson High School senior Shane Porter said. “It means a lot that all these people can come together and show us what they have to offer. It makes me think of what lies ahead, and what path I might go down.”

A total of 22 companies from Davidson and Davie counties were present during the event.

Business representatives were able to network with students, explaining skills needed for various positions as well as employment opportunities currently available.

“The newer generation often isn’t aware how much labor goes into making something,” Beena Korde, senior recruiter for Ashley Furniture, said. “It is important they understand the importance of working with their hands, being technically aware and being mechanically aware of how things get put together. With each of the programs in advanced manufacturing at DCCC, we have a job for that.”

The event is part of the larger Advanced Manufacturing Week. The national initiative brings together students, institutions and industrial leaders for the week of September 30 to October 4, 2019.

“Advanced Manufacturing Day doesn’t end with the event. This is just the beginning for students walking away with a new perspective for their future and for companies cultivating a new passionate and skilled generation of skilled professionals,” Reece said.

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About Davidson County Community College

Founded in 1963, Davidson County Community College is a fully accredited, multi-campus college where students of all ages and backgrounds pursue academic and career-focused education in order to build successful futures. As one of 58 institutions within the North Carolina Community College System, DCCC offers more than 40 degree and professional certificate programs to students in Davidson and Davie counties, as well as affordable college-credit coursework to students who plan to transfer to 4-year universities. With a mission to serve the changing needs of students competing in a global environment, DCCC is committed to quality education, innovative and equitable learning experiences, training, and support across a wide range of 21st-century career fields. Visit Davidson County Community College at DavidsonCCC.edu.

Media Contact

Jonathan Williams
Communications Specialist
Davidson County Community College
Office: 336-224-4510
Jonathan_Williams@davidsondavie.edu