Sinclair College and FastLane Inspire the Next Generation of Innovators on Manufacturing Day

Sinclair Community College and FastLane proudly hosted Manufacturing Day on Friday, October 4, 2024, with more than 400 high school students participating in hands-on activities to spark interest in exciting, rewarding careers in manufacturing.

This annual event highlights the critical collaboration between business, academia, and community leaders in building a skilled workforce that meets the demands of the manufacturing industry in the Dayton region and across Ohio.

School districts participating in Manufacturing Day are part of Sinclair’s FlexFactor Program, which utilizes outreach, recruitment, and STEM education to familiarize K-12 students with advanced manufacturing technology, entrepreneurship, and the education and career pathways that can lead to a STEM career.

Manufacturing Day is part of the national effort to inspire the next generation of manufacturers. This year’s event featured more than 400 students from high schools across the region, including Shawnee High School, Piqua High School, Goshen High School, Greene County Career Center, Miamisburg High School, Waynesville High School, Thurgood Marshall High School, and Xenia High School.

Students engaged in interactive demonstrations and presentations from Sinclair’s Division of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs, including Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering, CNC Machining, Industrial Robotics & Automation, Information Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Unmanned Aerial Systems, and Welding.

“Sinclair Community College is proud to play a pivotal role in Manufacturing Day, offering hands-on activities, tours, and interactive workshops to showcase the diverse and rewarding careers within the manufacturing sector, said Karl Hess, Dean of Sinclair’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Division. “This annual event aligns with Sinclair’s mission to find the need and endeavor to meet it by providing top-tier education and training that equips students with the skills required to meet the growing workforce demands of advanced manufacturing employers and secure living-wage jobs.”

For the third year, Sinclair Community College partnered with FastLane which specializes in solutions for manufacturing and engineering companies.

“Manufacturing is a dynamic and evolving industry, and workforce development has never been more important,” said April Vanover, Workforce Development & Community Outreach Lead –FastLane. “By engaging high school students early, we can expose them to the numerous benefits of careers in advanced manufacturing. U.S. manufacturers face a potential shortage of over two million skilled workers by 2028, and FastLane is committed to partnering with employers and education institutions like Sinclair to build the workforce for today and tomorrow.”

Since 2021, Sinclair Community College has introduced FlexFactor to more than 1,500 students from throughout the region, also exposing them to Manufacturing Day.

The following companies and industry partners participated in Sinclair’s 2024 Manufacturing Day:

Aerotek
AFRL GRILL
Belcan Engineering
Dayton-Phoenix Group
FastLane
Gosiger
Hohman Plating
Norwood Medical
Parker Lord
Projects Unlimited
QQE
Silfex
Stolle Machinery
United Grinding
VEGA Americas
Yaskawa Motoman

Manufacturing Day, an initiative of the Manufacturing Institute, the workforce development and education affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers, empowers manufacturers to come together and address their collective challenges and build excitement about manufacturing careers to help their communities and future generations thrive.

School districts interested in participating in Sinclair’s FlexFactor Program can contact Julie M. Huckaba, FlexFactor Project Manager, at julie.huckaba@sinclair.edu or 937-478-2463.

###