Showcase teaches new skills

FREMONT — With the number of open skilled trade positions on the rise, 900 area freshmen got a firsthand look at what to expect if they decide to enter the manufacturing workforce after high school.

As colleges raise tuition, some students struggle with the decision of whether to attend college or get a job after graduation. Several area manufacturers visited Terra State Community College on Friday during National Manufacturing Showcase to demonstrate how students can learn a skilled trade and earn high wages.

One manufacturing company, Whirlpool Inc., used the showcase to examine job options in maintenance repair and electrical work.

"There is a shortage in skill trade workers," Whirlpool electrician Lori Gullett said.

Alexis Flores, a freshman at Ross High School, said she is interested in skilled trade work when she graduates.

"I like putting stuff together," Flores said.

One of the benefits of working at Whirlpool is the chance to earn save money by having tools and financial assistance to attend trade school to work at Whirlpool, presenters said.

"We have about 80 in our program. Half of those are set to retire in 10 years," Whirlpool maintenance mechanic Ben Weiland said. "There is no better opportunity than a guaranteed job."

If maintenance work was not an attendee's preference, Green Bay Packing, 2323 Commerce Drive in Fremont, is celebrating 50 years by offering students a look at problem solving, packaging and labeling.

To work at Green Bay Packing, a high school graduate must be able to examine a blueprint and fill in the missing lines.

"Since what we do is depedant on diagrams, we brought a diagram in for the students to find missing lines and then make the box. That is the same thing we do on a day-to-day basis," Tamara Fry said. "The whole gist is blueprint reading, knowing how to measure and understanding how to cut and reading the blueprint to know how to fold it directly."

Fry added: "You can get a job without going to college."

cshoup@gannett.com

419-334-1035

Twitter: CraigShoupNH