Lawrence County’s 4th Annual Manufacturing Week Increases Awareness of Manufacturing Careers in Area Schools

Left Photo: Students tour Whitney Tool, a manufacturer of customed designed cutting tools.

BEDFORD, IN:  National Manufacturing Day was celebrated in Lawrence County for the 4th year in a row with a week-long series of manufacturing-based events and activities for 8th-grade students at Mitchell Junior High and 9th-12th-grade students attending trade classes at the North Lawrence Career Center. The event has been gaining momentum each year, and Bedford Middle School (BMS) 8th-graders and teachers were excited to participate in Manufacturing Week for the first time by accompanying their peers during the industry tours held on Friday, October 4th (the official National Manufacturing Day).

Heidi Wagner, BMS Principal, had this to say, “Manufacturing Day provided 249 BMS students with valuable insights into the real-world opportunities available in our local industries. It was exciting to see our students’ curiosity and enthusiasm throughout the day. This experience opened their eyes to future possibilities.” Kevin Yancy, Superintendent of the North Lawrence Community Schools (NLCS) participated alongside students during the industry tours and added, “I want to give a huge thank you to our manufacturing partners and dedicated educators for giving our students this incredible experience. Our students discovered that manufacturing isn’t just about producing goods—it’s about creating pathways to a promising future.”

 
A Rogers Group employee shows a stone that will be crushed and used during construction projects.   

 
Students work together in teams during a design challenge.                                                           

An 8th-grade student from Mitchell commented about the industry tours, “I liked learning about how these companies make the things they make – like if it’s fully human, mixed, or automated by robots.” Another stated, “My favorite part was probably just getting to go around, interact, and learn about things we could do with our future." A survey of all 8th-grade students revealed that 28% were considering a career in advanced manufacturing after Manufacturing Week activities compared to only 19% prior. “These tours provided early career exploration and a deeper understanding of local industries. I joined two tours and was truly impressed,” stated Kelli Terrell, Director of College and Career Readiness at NLCS.

At the North Lawrence Career Center, high school students were able to better understand the importance of manufacturing through design challenges, a virtual welder hands-on experience, and interactive displays. In total, 402 students, 35 adults, and 19 partners joined together to make Lawrence County’s 4th Annual Manufacturing Week a giant success. This year saw major growth with an increase from 8 industry partners providing tours in 2023 to 12 in 2024, new interactive displays by 5 partners, and the addition of BMS students. Volunteers Apryl Kidd, Director of The Collaboration of Shoals, Mitchell, and Orleans Schools, and Alex Barnes, President of WF Meyers, were instrumental in the success and spent the preceding months planning the entire event. Apryl stated, “Manufacturing Day is one of my favorite days of the year because it gives us the opportunity to show all of our students the world of work and broadens their map of opportunities.”

Lawrence County has a strong industrial heritage, and introducing students to the possibilities in advanced manufacturing helps bridge the gap between education and local job opportunities. By familiarizing them with modern technologies, robotics, and automation early on in their career exploration, students can discover their interests and develop the necessary technical skills to pursue high-demand careers. The annual observance of Manufacturing Day/Week, funded by the Lawrence County Economic Growth Council, allows industrial partners to show future generations the variety of career opportunities available in their fields. Whether the students decide to pursue a college education, technical degree, or directly enter the workforce, those participating in the event better understand the local companies and their workforce needs.