Austin Olar,
a sophomore at Mansfield Senior High, inspects a piece of heavy industry
machinery during a tour of area manufacturers. Scores of Mansfield Senior High students got a close look at career opportunities this month during a tour of businesses and industries organized by the area’s Regional Manufacturing Coalition.
“We sent students on six buses to visit at least two companies each,” said Scott Musser, director of the Career Tech program. “Nearly every sophomore participated, along with career-based intervention students and those enrolled in engineering and machine trades.”
All total, 169 Senior High students visited nine area firms that manufacture products which are shipped throughout the United States and the world, said Shirley Nasipak, a career coach with SPARC (Succeed and Prosper Through Education). Nasipak and fellow career coach Vicki Dye accompanied the students.
More than
200 juniors and seniors are enrolled in 10 Career Tech programs offered at
Senior High.
“Our sophomores got a first-hand look at different professions and careers that will help them make decisions about possibly enrolling in a Career Tech field,” Musser said. “Some think, ‘I’m going to have to work in a factory all my life.’ That’s not so. There are many other elements to manufacturing.
“We want to provide all students with information so they can make informed decisions about what is best for them after high school – college, the workforce or the military.”
All Senior
High freshmen are enrolled in an exploratory class focused on different career
pathways.
Area
businesses include on the Career Day tour, Nasipak said, included:
Tramec
Sloan, Galion
Progress
Industries, Mansfield
PR Machine
Works, Ontario
Midwest
Aircraft, Lexington
Stoneridge,
Lexington
School
Specialty, Mansfield
Warren Rupp
Inc., Mansfield
Hillman
Precision Inc., Ashland
Gorman-Rupp,
Mansfield
Two groups also visited North Central State College’s Kehoe Center in Shelby to learn about programs the college offers there.
Throughout
the day business personnel discussed with students pre-employment screening
procedures, career pathways, technical skills and soft skills for success,
including a positive attitude and good attendance, Naispak said.