The Stark County Workforce Development Partnership’s (SCMWDP) middle school manufacturing camp was visited by special guest Senator Sherrod Brown this past week. This is the third year the organization has sponsored the camp which expanded this year to provide 100 students across Stark County the opportunity to attend the camp for free. Students were afforded the opportunity to plan and build marble roller coasters and deconstruct mechanical toys so they could re-assemble parts into new inventions. Local manufacturers offered field trips with hands on activities. Over 40 working professionals attended camp sessions to be interviewed by the 6th-8th graders.
Senator Brown’s office has convened organizations that support middle school manufacturing camps across Ohio for the last 10 years. He has provided certificates of completion to thousands of middle school students over the last decade in efforts to support manufacturing as a viable career pathway which honors the rich history of manufacturing in Ohio.
TomTod Ideas, a local non-profit specializing in releasing the potential of middle school students, was the camp curator providing curriculum and high energy counselors. Camp sessions were held at the Legacy Project in Massillon and at Stark State’s main campus. SARTA provided in kind service for the field trips and 10 manufacturers provided sponsorships. Sponsoring companies included Ohio Gratings Inc., The Timken Company, M.K. Morse, Hendrickson, RW Screw, Powell, Stark Industrial, Metallus, Myers Controlled Power and MAGNET.
###
The Stark County Manufacturing Workforce Development Partnership (SCMWDP) is an industry-led, regional collaboration of manufacturers and other stakeholders who have come together to address the talent shortage in Stark County. Also known as an industry sector partnership, SCMWDP was organized to ensure that manufacturers have a voice and an active role in identifying the needs and solving the challenges related to attracting, hiring, training, and retaining a qualified workforce. We will work with other workforce development providers, programs, and initiatives in Stark County, aligning and supporting efforts rather than recreating or duplicating what already works.
