(Chelsea Update would like to thank Fran LeFort for the information in this story and JD Photography for the photos.)
Chelsea High School students were among 200 from across the county that took part in Washtenaw Community College’s Manufacturing Day on Oct. 4, which is a way for students to see a wide range of high-demand and high-wage career paths.
Chelsea teacher Duane Moss accompanied the students and below is what he had to say about the experience.
Q: What is the importance or value of Manufacturing Day?
A: Manufacturing Day gives students the opportunity to see real-world applications of the skills they’re learning in our CTE programs. It helps them connect what happens in the classroom to the pathways that exist after high school, whether that’s college, technical training, or going straight into the workforce. It’s a great way to showcase the many career options in manufacturing and help students start envisioning themselves in those roles.
Q: Generally speaking, how many of your students typically plan to transfer to WCC or have talked about pursuing a manufacturing career?
A: About a quarter of our students express interest in pursuing manufacturing-related careers or continuing their education at WCC. For us, Manufacturing Day is an important chance to strengthen that connection—students can talk to faculty, see the facilities, and better understand the programs that could be the next step in their journey.
Q: What are your students most looking forward to seeing/doing at Manufacturing Day?
A: They look forward to seeing the labs and equipment firsthand, especially the kinds of advanced tools and technologies that aren’t always accessible at the high school level. For many, the highlight is talking with instructors and professionals—they get to see what it really takes to succeed and how the technical skills they’re building now can open doors to college and career success.
