The Knox County Area Partnership for Economic Development, in partnership with the Galesburg Area Vocational Center and Carl Sandburg College, is hosting two Trade and Manufacturing Showcase Wednesday, October 30, at various locations in Galesburg.
The first showcase will run from 9:30-noon at Galesburg High School and from 4-6:30 at Sandburg’s Center for Manufacturing Excellence at the main campus.
The Trade and Manufacturing Showcase is an event where students at area schools have the opportunity to meet with local and regional employers to show students different aspects of the trades and manufacturing industries.
KCAP President Ken Springer told the Knox County Board last week that the showcase would feature students from every Knox County school district, as well as students from Warren and Henry counties.
“It’s going to be great. We have all of the school districts from Knox County will be bussing students in and we also have students coming in from Henry County and Warren County,” Springer said. “That’s a first for us to bring students in from outside so we’re really excited about that.”
Springer said that there will be 18 different employers from the region taking part in the showcases.
It’s a hands-on experience for students to learn about the different opportunities in the industry through interactive activities. The program hoes to influence area youth and their supports to engage in career and technical education in the community’s three core growth industries, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and transportation. There is also a significant need for skilled workers in the trades industry.
The evening session at Sandburg is a chance for students and their parents to explore what career and technical education opportunities are available to them at Carl Sandburg College.
Current students and staff will be on hand to answer questions and demonstrate equipment from its wide selection of CTE programs, including dozens of certifications and associates in applied science programs such as agriculture, welding, and locomotive electrical.
In addition, the Knox County 4-H Robotics Team will also have a demonstration during the event.
