HIGHLIGHTING MANUFACTURING CAREERS TO RETAIN LOCAL TALENT
This article is part of the Workforce Development Institute’s Annual Impact Report Strengthening New York’s Workforce
Encouraging career awareness and exploration in the next generation.
The workforce of the future cannot be forgotten while solving the challenges of today. During our economic recovery, we must ensure that the next generation understands the many pathways into successful careers.
The manufacturing sector employs tens of thousands of Long Islanders, from defense and aerospace to biomedical, food, and beverage. Many students, teachers, and parents are unaware of all that is produced in their backyards, and the many jobs with higher-than-average salaries. Every October, Manufacturing Day programs try to reverse this trend.
The trade association IgniteLI advocates for manufacturers and takes an active role in planning Manufacturing Day events. They launched an outreach project working with Dr. Subrina Oliver of O-High Technologies with a 2021 goal to reach 4000+ students in 12 underinvested school districts. With a mixture of in-person and virtual events and site visits, this project introduces middle and high school students from minority communities to impressive local companies that produce goods for national and international consumption.
IgniteLI Executive Director Patrick Boyle applauded Dr. Oliver’s efforts, “The amount of preparation and planning that goes into executing Manufacturing Day is tremendous, Subrina Oliver is providing a pathway for students to succeed in lucrative careers.” He went on to thank WDI for their support, “The Workforce Development Institute sees the big picture and understands the long term goals of building critical skilled labor here on Long Island, we thank them for their continued support.”
By building awareness of these careers, students can see the real-world applications of their STEM learning. There is a win for businesses that engage with these programs as they introduce themselves to the future workforce and can start building connections to attract local talent.
Workforce Development Institue- The Workforce Development Institute (WDI) is a statewide non-profit that works to increase opportunities for all New Yorkers to succeed in the workforce while earning family-sustaining wages. We use a range of tools including “boots on the ground” information, workforce expertise, data analysis, and flexible funding to facilitate projects that help labor unions, employers, educational institutions, and other workforce partners think and act differently regarding hiring, training, educating, and retaining an inclusive and productive workforce.
