High school students from 12 local districts recently explored manufacturing careers during a field trip to Illinois Valley Community College. The 2024 Discover Manufacturing Expo showcased various career opportunities with hands-on activities in welding, pneumatics, and machinery. Company representatives provided insights, sparking interest among students in the diverse and dynamic field of manufacturing. October is Manufacturing Month, recognizing the industry as a key multi-billion-dollar engine powering the state’s economy and employing almost 10 percent of the state’s workforce.
“It was fun exploring different things. The day opened up different opportunities,” said one Marquette High School student. After completing a round in the gym, a group of La Salle-Peru High School students took a break in the CTC, saying they enjoyed some hands-on activities at the plant they had toured and were discovering what IVCC had to offer to launch them into that field.
Participating companies included: Allegion, Princeton; Canam Steel Corp, Peru; Epsilyte, LLC, Peru; SABIC Innovative Plastics, Ottawa; HCC, Inc, Mendota; Machinery Maintenance/Valley Fabrication/OnSite Repair, LaSalle; Vactor Manufacturing, Streator; Black Bros. Co., Mendota; Garden Denver, Princeton; Constellation, Seneca; Carus, LaSalle, and GAF, Peru.
Participating high schools were: Ottawa; Seneca; Princeton; Putnam County; Marquette; Henry; Hall; La Moille; La Salle-Peru; Mendota; Woodland, and St. Bede.
This year’s 10th Expo was hosted by IVCC, North Central Regional Betterment Coalition (NCRBC), Business Employment Skills Team (BEST), and Starved Rock Associates for Career and Technical Education (SRAVTE).