Building Boldly: How the PA Dream Team is Inspiring Tomorrow’s Workforce
by Amber Morris
Workforce Initiatives Specialist
Manufacturers Resource Center
Amber Morris
At a time when workforce challenges are top of mind for local manufacturers, the PA Dream Team career exploration program—powered by MRC—is making real change happen, one classroom at a time.
The PA Dream Team is a dynamic ambassador program designed to connect K-12 students with the real people behind the region’s most innovative manufacturers. Through authentic storytelling and hands-on activities, Dream Team members bring manufacturing to life—sparking curiosity, breaking stereotypes, and helping students envision themselves in these high-demand careers.
The Power of Authentic Stories
What sets the Dream Team apart is its people. We work closely with local manufacturers to identify young professionals within their organizations who are eager to share their stories. Once selected, these individuals commit to a two-year journey of growth—not just for the students they inspire, but for themselves as emerging leaders in their field.
Each member receives in-depth professional development to prepare them for classroom visits. This year, we launched a refreshed three-part training series based on interviews with past Dream Team members and facilitators. The new onboarding program is designed to build confidence, presentation skills, and classroom readiness:
- Empower Yourself – Covers public speaking, building an effective PowerPoint, and crafting an authentic career story.
- Engage Your Audience – Focuses on student engagement, classroom presence, and managing diverse learners.
- Educate the Future – Equips ambassadors to collaborate with educators, handle logistics, and design age-appropriate activities aligned with varied learning styles.
These trainings help Dream Team members go beyond generic presentations and instead create personalized, hands-on activities rooted in their real-life work.
Custom Career Activities in Action
Take, for example, Damir Chiaramonte, a Maintenance Technician at Bosch Rexroth. At a recent Dream Team meeting, Damir showcased an interactive classroom activity he developed. His challenge? Have students troubleshoot faulty circuits—mirroring the problem-solving he does daily on the job. The students were not only learning electrical skills—they were walking in the shoes of a real technician.
Then there’s Mercedes Kopack from Martin Guitar, who led a STEAM Club session at a local middle school. She guided students in building their own box guitars, using rubber bands to explore how string placement affects pitch. It was a fun, accessible way to introduce them to sound engineering and the craftsmanship behind every Martin guitar.
These are just two examples of how Dream Team members are using their experiences to inspire the next generation of makers, fixers, and innovators.
Investing in the Future
Beyond the initial onboarding, Dream Team members continue to grow through seasonal workshops tailored to their evolving needs. This year, we collaborated with MRC’s broader leadership development team to identify core competencies that benefit both Dream Team members and their employers—ensuring each participant grows as a communicator, problem-solver, and ambassador for manufacturing.
We’re proud of the meaningful progress this program has made—and we’re just getting started.
Join the Movement
We’re currently recruiting new members for this year’s Dream Team. If you’re a manufacturer in the Lehigh Valley or surrounding areas, we invite you to nominate a young professional who’s ready to make an impact.
Our mission is clear:
We empower the next generation through local manufacturing champions — rooted in the community, for the community. Our program connects youth to career pathways through immersive experiences, real-world industry stories, and hands-on activities. Together, we’re inspiring tomorrow’s workforce to dream big and build boldly.
Want to be part of the future? Let’s build it—together.
To learn more about how to get involved as a manufacturer, contact program manager Amber Morris today at amber.morris@mrcpa.org, or visit our website for program details and recruitment information. For educators, meet your local team and fill out an online request for a Dream Team member to visit your classroom or event! PA Dream Teams – What’s So Cool About Manufacturing®.