A component of both the City of Schertz Economic Development Corporation (Schertz EDC) and the Seguin Economic Development Corporation’s (Seguin EDC) business retention and expansion program (BRE) is to ensure that Primary Job Employers within our communities have access to a skilled workforce. As part of this effort, both Schertz and Seguin worked with local school districts to develop workforce pipelines for local Primary Job Employers, using events such as Manufacturing Day. However, as the pandemic challenged our communities’ commitment to help students develop a fuller understanding of available career opportunities, we – like many organizations across our region – saw the need to try something new. Adaptability during the pandemic became key and spurred a partnership between the Seguin and Schertz EDC to celebrate Manufacturing Day with students by showcasing Caterpillar Inc., a local manufacturer with operations in both communities.
Manufacturing Day and Caterpillar
Manufacturing Day (MFG Day) is held annually during the month of October. It helps show the promising future of modern manufacturing careers by encouraging companies and educational institutions to open their doors to students, parents, teachers, and community leaders. Participating schools include Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District, Seguin Independent School District, Navarro Independent School District, and Marion Independent School District. MFG Day normally lets students explore manufacturing outside of a classroom setting to see firsthand how their interests align with this industry.
Caterpillar Inc., the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives, regularly participates in MFG Day and has been an important partner in introducing girls to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) related career opportunities.
How This Year Differs
As the scale of COVID-19 became more apparent at the beginning of the year, Schertz, Seguin, Caterpillar, and participating school districts decided to find a way to hold the event while emphasizing the safety of students and host company employees. Through planning meetings, Caterpillar suggested a virtual tour of their facilities hosted by local employees, complemented by a live discussion with some of the female leaders within the plants.
To set the event apart, students also received a commemorative MFG Day t-shirt sporting the ‘Creators Wanted’ theme, which encourages students to realize their creative potential. This messaging is particularly fitting when tied to Caterpillar’s goal of providing solutions that help their customers build a better world. Whether creating, designing, or building, a career in manufacturing offers a range of opportunities to suit a student’s interests.
Summary of 2020’s Event
This year, over 350 students from across the Schertz and Seguin area participated in Caterpillar’s virtual event. Leaders from Caterpillar explained the important role their two local facilities play in the company’s global operations. Students heard presentations from employees in the organization who shared their personal development stories and how manufacturing shaped their careers. Caterpillar also emphasized the expansive career options available, ranging from Human Resources and Finance to Engineering and Technician positions.
When asked about key takeaways, Semaya Brown, one of the students who attended this year’s event, saw how her interests could apply to this field: “From the virtual field trip, I learned that there is a lot that go into manufacturing things. There are a lot of supplies and steps that go into the process before an item that is made can be used. Since building is kind of my thing and something I enjoy, I have thought of one day working in the manufacturing business. Designing items for use and putting them together is something that I would very much want to do later in life.”
Other students came away from MFG Day with a greater appreciation for the role of women in the manufacturing environment as well as a recognition of the important role safety plays in the industry.
“Women who work for manufacturing companies are hard workers; manufacturing isn’t easy. I think it would be fun to be able to build and design things [like they do at Caterpillar]. If I work at a manufacturing facility, I could encourage other women to work in the industry,” says Haylie Doty.
“I learned about how you guys [Caterpillar] keep your workers safe during the coronavirus. I learned where you got your materials from and what jobs at CAT look like,” says Hannah Jacobson.
As this experience was new to school administration as well, many of the participating education partners came away with a greater appreciation of the potential of these types of digital interaction opportunities. “Coronavirus precautions presented a unique opportunity to work in technology,” says a Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District representative. “COVID has certainly presented challenges for students, teachers, support staff, administrators, and parents. However, technology has afforded us all an opportunity to continue learning. During this unique time, we are all learning so much about technology, educational programs, and the importance of communication. We have all united and learned how to provide educational opportunities to our students regardless of the barriers and challenges we are facing with this pandemic. Meeting online lets students continue to learn about careers, take virtual tours and meet with professionals who may not otherwise been able to talk to our students face-to-face.”
Conclusion
“Manufacturing Day remains one of the best local opportunities to connect students with great companies in Seguin and Schertz,” says Ashlynn Tovar-Read, Seguin EDC’s Business Retention Specialist. “Flexibility on behalf of Caterpillar and the school districts helped us continue the event and bring the excitement of manufacturing into the schools in a safe way.”
Schertz EDC’s Business Retention Manager, Jennifer Kolbe, echoes the importance of balancing safety and introduction to the world outside the classroom. “At the end of the day, building the connections that can help our companies grow and our students think about their future is the basis of Manufacturing Day. We’re excited to see what next year brings and how we can continue to work together as a region.”
Thank You and Contact Us
Manufacturing Day continues to be a great way to introduce students to manufacturing opportunities in our local community. Thank you to Caterpillar for opening your doors and educating the next generation on the manufacturing industry. For more information about the City of Schertz Economic Development Corporation, explore our other blog posts or call (210) 619-1072. For more information about the City of Seguin Economic Development Corporation, visit SeguinEDC.com or call (830) 401-2476.