In the movie Field of Dreams there’s that famous saying, “If you build it they will come.”
In the case of Northwest Indiana manufacturing it could be said, “If you build it -local buildings and businesses- and hire good staff, they will help you grow.”
So I’m here at my usual thinking spot, Industrial Revolution Eatery and Grille, and it seems appropriate since the restaurant celebrates the American worker and this Life is a Revolution piece highlights an event that is dedicated to products that are built right here in Portage, Indiana.
October 3 is Manufacturing Day. It is a nationally celebrated holiday in which the creators of goods and services are celebrated. Manufacturers make a special point on this day to reach out into the communities to show everyone what they are really all about. Common misconceptions and concerns are addressed and eyes are opened as manufacturing businesses connect with the younger generations around the country and ensure the continuation and prosperity of the manufacturing industry.
The Portage Economic Development Corporation is an adamant advocate for its local businesses, many of which are in the manufacturing industry, so it was quite fitting when PEDCO connected with Portage High School to have an in-house manufacturing fair on Manufacturing Day.
As an employer, I bond with the manufacturers seeking hard-working employees to build their companies futures, and as a dad, want my kids to have the most options possible to stay in the community and have a full and bright future in the workforce.
The event took place in the field house at PHS and businesses from all over Portage set up booths that displayed their products, information on their businesses, and the kinds of opportunities thay might offer to these students post high school. Many great businesses and business people were there like Kirt Witham – Director of Business Development at TRG – The Ross Group, Inc. Witham is a proud Portage High School graduate, and he wants the kids to see the chance to find good jobs with great benefits and a future staying right here in town.
Current PCCTC (Porter County Career and Technical Center) students had a booth at the event and they spoke to the Portage Freshman about the opportunities at the PCCTC and getting into the PCCTC in their Junior and Senior years. The Career Center offers programs ranging from traditional trades to CAD, video production, and healthcare; giving students highly valuable, hands-on learning experience while in high school that can help them choose the best path post high school.
And when those seniors graduate they may go right into the working world or they may go to college. And Ivy Tech Community College as well as other colleges were there giving voice to continued education, in all of its forms. Mike Jones was representing the college with some of the other great Ivy Tech staff.
College is a great avenue to take, but some people may not want to go that route right after high school and the passionate and energetic Izzy De Jesus and some of the other members of the US Steel team were out talking to students about career choices post high school. Izzy is a Portage graduate who stresses the importance of communication no matter what field you plan on joining.
Along with communication you have to have guidance from a knowledgeable source. Jon Groth of the PCCTC stood with Karen Swickard, principal of PHS and another fine teacher of PHS. They are fully immersed and well-versed in providing direction and the proper education for their students. And they were both very pleased to see such an effort from both the manufacturers and the students as they reached out to each other. Karen was excited to introduce so many manufacturing companies to her kids as this opens them to so many different career choices to them.
One of the many career paths was represented by William Stockwell, general manager of PSC Machining & Engineering. He was there along with Michael Garcia (also of PSC). Their company moved to Portage from East Chicago, as they were attracted to the good education system, solid labor market, and relationships with people and organizations like Jon Groth and the PCCTC. They have hired many of their students from the career center through their long-term relationship.
Dwayne Tate and Roger Hoefflicker of Task Force Tips, a long time employer in Porter County, also have hired the bright hard working PHS and PCCTC students. Task Force Tips actually hired the first student out of the PCCTC, Rich Gast. Rich is still employed with TFT, which is a lasting sign of the close relationship of manufacturing and education.
The Portage ROTC attended the Manufacturing Day event and they all proudly represented their program. Jim Fitzer, the executive director of PEDCO, the head of the Portage ROTC program, and Dr. Ric Frataccia, Superintendent of Portage schools looked on with pride as his students absorbed the knowledge given to them that day.
Jane Powers of St. Mary Medical Center was there to share the great health resources for kids to learn from. St. Mary’s is an active Portage High School and Portage YMCA community partner so this was a must attend event for them.
It was inspiring to see so many people come together to support the education of our community’s youth, and open their eyes to the incredible diversity available in manufacturing right here in their backyard. After spending the day meeting and listening to all involved, I can clearly see the students will have a bright future in Northwest Indiana. Way to go Portge High School and PEDCO! Now that's Revolutionary thinking.